UCLA Women’s Water Polo Loses Battle to Stanford; Visits SJSU Today

This afternoon, the UCLA women’s water polo team wraps up their weekend trip to the Bay Area with an MPSF conference game against the San Jose State Spartans at Noon PT.

Last Time Out

Yesterday, the Bruins squared off against #1 Stanford in Palo Alto. It was a tough fought game, but the Cardinal managed to squeak by, 7-6.

The first half was actually all-Stanford as the Cardinal scored the only goals of the half with two in the first quarter and one more in the second to take a 3-0 lead into halftime.

About a minute into the third quarter, Stanford extended their lead to 4-0. When you’re on the road against the #1 team in the country, giving them a four-goal lead isn’t particular helpful when it comes to winning the game, but that didn’t stop the Bruins from mounting quite a comeback.

With 5:29 left in the third, Ava Johnson finally got UCLA on the scoreboard. Maddie Musselman ended the scoring in the third quarter when she cut the Cardinal lead to 4-2 with 2:39 left in the quarter.

Val Ayala’s goal with 6:39 left in the game brought the Bruins to within a goal and it was 4-3, Stanford. Then, with 4:44 to go, Bronte Halligan tied the game up at 4-4. Two minutes later with the score still tied, Lizette Rozeboom gave UCLA their first lead of the game, but it was short-lived as the Cardinal tied it back up at 5-5 just 14 seconds later.

The final minute and a half were fast and furious. Musselman’s second goal of the game put the Bruins ahead again with 1:21 left, but 29 seconds later, the Cardinal scored to tie the game again at 6-6. Then, with just five seconds left, Stanford scored to go in front 7-6 and that’s how this one ended. Stanford now has sole possession of first in the MPSF standings with just a few games left in the regular season.

San Jose State Spartans

While the Spartans are ranked 18th, they haven’t had a very good season. They are just 9-11 overall and 1-2 in the MPSF. The Spartans have lost five of their last seven games with their only two wins coming against Sienna College and Arizona State.

This should be an easy win for UCLA and a good tune-up after yesterday’s loss. Personally, I’m expecting the Bruins to win today by at least ten goals.

This is your UCLA vs. San Jose State women’s water polo open thread.


Go Bruins!!!