| Women’s Water Polo |
|---|
| Indiana — 7 |
| UCLA — 18 |
Fueled by the momentum of its home crowd, UCLA surges past Indiana in a commanding performance
No. 2 UCLA women’s water polo (11-1, 2-0 MPSF) secured victory against No. 8 Indiana (12-2, 0-1) on Friday afternoon, using key defensive stops and a balanced offensive attack to keep their streak.
The Bruins set the tone opening quarter with quick ball movement and aggressive perimeter. Senior center Bia Mantellato opened the scoring strongly at the 7:45 mark, followed by Hoosiers senior attacker Louisa Downes‘ six-on-five goal, assisted by other senior attacker Grace Klingler. Though Indiana quickly responded with a goal of its own, UCLA still maintained pressure, earning multiple exclusions.
UCLA led 5-2 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
The Bruins maintained their momentum, beginning the second quarter with sophomore attacker Jenna Human assisting senior attacker Taylor Smith, anchoring the offense with precise shooting. Smith has been a consistent threat, leading the Bruins so far this season. The Hoosiers struggled to find their rhythm offensively, forcing contested shots and ending the second quarter scoreless.
Junior goalkeeper Lauren Steele held a steady presence in the pool, with a recording of four first-half saves anchoring a defensive but composed tempo. UCLA converted multiple six-on-five chances, capitalizing on exclusion opportunities, generating steals from freshman attacker Katherine O’Dea and redshirt senior attacker Emma Lineback.
The Bruins entered halftime ahead 8-2.
Third quarter, the Bruins continued to outscore Indiana 4-1. Downes capitalized on the Bruins’ exclusion with a six-on-five conversion halfway through. Hoosiers developed defensive pressure with steals from freshman attacker Audrina Kang and Klingler, creating power play opportunities and earning multiple exclusions. Indiana’s senior goalkeeper Jasmine Higgs recorded two saves, preventing further separation. However, Steele instantly blocked two of Hoosiers attackers, Klingler assisting Downes. With Indiana’s missed perimeter attempts and turnovers, the Hoosiers still headed into the fourth quarter with UCLA up 12-3.
Indiana gained momentum early in the fourth quarter, attacking right away by converting on power play chances, with junior attacker Olivia Harris adding a goal and Downes assisting. But despite the generated opportunities, the Bruins ended the fourth quarter with an additional six points, preventing Indiana from overcoming UCLA’s defensive pressure.
The Bruins wrapped up the game scoring 18-7, securing victory and dominating Indiana.
The Bruins aim to build on that performance Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. PST to host No. 12 Michigan.
