University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Olympic Roundup - Tuesday, July 31, 2012
July 31, 2012 | Bruin Athletics, Olympics
July 31, 2012
UCLA Olympians enjoyed a successful day at the London 2012 Olympics on July 31. All four UCLA women's soccer Olympians advanced with their teams to the quarterfinals after play on Tuesday. UCLA men's water polo head coach Adam Wright scored two goals in a Team USA victory. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love led the U.S. Basketball team to a big victory over Tunisia, and UCLA Ph.D student Julie Nichols advanced to the lightweight double sculls semifinals in rowing.
Women's Soccer
Needing only a draw or better to assure itself a first-place finish in Group G, Team USA defeated North Korea, 1-0 on Tuesday before 29,522 fans at famed Old Trafford, home of the Premier League's Manchester United. Abby Wambach scored the game's only goal in the 25th minute, as the U.S. then held on to keep the North Koreans scoreless the rest of the way. Lauren Cheney started and played 84 minutes in the match. Sydney Leroux did not see any action. Next up for the U.S. is a meeting with New Zealand, and current Bruin Rosie White, at 6:00am PT on Friday at St. James' Park. (Recap)
Chelsea Stewart and the Canadian Women's National Team earned an extremely important 2-2 tie against Sweden on Tuesday at St. James' Park in Newcastle. The Canadians needed a win or a tie in their final group match for any shot at advancing to the knockout stages. Despite finishing third in the group, Team Canada moves on to the quarterfinals as one of the two highest third-place teams. Stewart entered the match in the 86th minute, shortly after teammate Melissa Tancredi's match-tying goal in the 84th minute. Canada will take on host Great Britian on Friday at City of Coventry Stadium (11:30am PT). (Recap)
Rosie White started her first match of the Olympic Games on Tuesday as New Zealand picked up its only Group E win with a 3-1 victory over Cameroon. White played the full 90 minutes, recording one shot. Despite posting just one win in group play, the Kiwis move on to the quarterfinals for the first time in Olympic history and will meet Team USA on Friday at 9:00 A.M. (EST). (Recap)
Men's Water Polo
Former UCLA player and current UCLA men's water polo head coach Adam Wright helped the U.S. men's water polo team to a 10-8 preliminary-round victory over Romania on Tuesday at London's Water Polo Arena. Wright started the match and played in 23 of the 32 minutes, scoring two goals. Trailing 5-3, his power play goal at 1:25 in the second period cut Romania's lead to 5-4 and ended the scoring in the first half. After a dominating third period by the Americans, in which Team USA outscored Romania 3-0, Wright scored his second goal on a long-distance shot that put the U.S. up 8-6 with 4:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. Wright also had two steals and an assist on the day. Former UCLA goalkeeper Chay Lapin did not play. The victory puts Team USA at 2-0 in Group B standings. They are one of only three teams left in the tournament that are undefeated with four points. Team USA (2-0-0) faces Great Britain (0-0-2) in its next match on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 6:20 p.m. local time (10:20 a.m. PST).
Men's Basketball
Kevin Love scored a team-high-tying 16 points and Russell Westbrook added 11, leading the U.S. men's basketball team past Tunisia, 110-63, in Team USA's second game at the London Olympics on Sunday. Love finished with six rebounds, while Westbrook added three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Team USA improved to 2-0, securing a 46-33 cushion by halftime. The United States outscored Tunisia by a 39-14 margin in the third quarter to take a commanding 85-47 lead. Team USA returns to action against Nigeria on Thursday. Game time is 2:15pm PT.
Men's Volleyball
The U.S. Men's Volleyball Team raised its Poll B record to 2-0 with a 3-0 victory against Germany on Tuesday. The Americans, with John Speraw as their assistant coach and Mike Sealy as their chief scout, won 25-23, 25-16, 25-20. The USA meets Brazil on Thursday at Noon PT.
Rowing
UCLA Ph.D student Julie Nichols and her partner Kristin Hedstrom finished first in the second repechage of the women's lightweight double sculls event on Tuesday, advancing to Thursday's semifinals. Nichols and Hedstrom posted a time of 7 minutes, 13.82 seconds and crossed the finish line 1.55 seconds ahead of the second-place duo from Canada. The American pair will race in a six-heat semifinal on Thursday.
London Log-In
UCLA men's volleyball head coach John Speraw writes about his day as a spectator at the USA Women's Water Polo game, and Men's Water Polo alumnus Chay Lapin details his Opening Ceremonies experience in today's London Log-In.
Coming Up Wednesday
Women's Water Polo - Team USA, which features Kelly Rulon and Courtney Mathewson and is coached by former UCLA player and head coach Adam Krikorian, faces Spain at 10:20am PT. Watch live online or delayed on the West Coast on NBC at 12:20pm PT.
Women's Volleyball - UCLA legend Karch Kiraly is an assistant coach for Team USA, which plays China at Noon PT. Watch live online or delayed on the West Coast on NBC at 2:00pm.
Rowing - Former UCLA assistant coach Mark Hunter races in the lightweight double sculls semifinals at 1:50am PT, while former UCLA club rower Silas Stafford races in the men's pair semifinals at 3:00am PT. NBC will provide delayed coverage at 10:15am PT, or watch online live at NBCOlympics.com.
