Jan 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A UCLA Bruins logo at the entrance to Pauley Pavilion before the UCLA Bruins defeated Arizona State Sun Devils 87-72. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
The quest for Championship #111 continues as the UCLA Bruins lose to the Stanford Cardinal, 9-5 in the Women’s Water Polo National Championship game. With that, the Bruins had missed out on their eighth national title while Stanford claims their fourth. A strong start for the Bruins, turned into a dominating finish for the Cardinal who made a solid second-half push, blanking the UCLA in the last 16 minutes.
The game, which was played at the Uytengsu Aquatic Center on the campus of USC, started out strong for the Bruins. Despite giving up the first goal, Kelly Ronimus of UCLA took a shot from 5 meters out to tie the game a few minutes in. A short time later, Alexa Tielmann lazered one in to make it 2-1 in favor of UCLA.
The Bruins increased the score to 3-1 on a goal by India Foster which got the Cardinal on their heels. Unfortunately, a foul on the Bruins put the Cardinal on the power play. They scored with the player advantage to make it 3-2 with 5 minutes left in the first half. The Bruins responded with a pair goals of their own by Mackenzie Barr and Kodi Hill to make it 5-2.
Stanford finally had some life injected into their game to end the first half as a shot off the side post bounced in to lessen the Bruin’s lead. UCLA was up 5-3 at halftime.
Unfortunately, that is where it ended for UCLA as Stanford shutout the Bruins in the second half. The Cardinal scored early in the third to make it 5-4 and then evened it up before the end of the period. Stanford scored four more times in the fourth to put their stamp on a heavily defensive comeback. And so it goes, Stanford are your 2014 Women’s Water Polo National Champions.
UCLA did not go away without a few honors as three Bruins were named to the All-Tournament teams. Becca Dorst made the second team, while Rachal Fattal and Sami Hill were named to the first team.
A tough loss, but these Bruins will bounce back. It is on for next year, you can guarantee that. Go Bruins!
A 9-5 loss by @UCLAWaterPolo to top-seeded Stanford in NCAA Championship game but congrats to the Bruins on an outstanding season!
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) May 12, 2014
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco