UCLA Places Third in NCAA Tournament
May 16, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
LOS ANGELES, Calif. โ Due to two pivotal saves by Bruin keeper Alex Musselman in the final minute of play, the third-ranked UCLA women's water polo team held No. 4 Michigan at bay to secure a third-place finish in the 2016 National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Championship.ย With the 5-4 win, the Bruins close out the 2015-16 season with a 26-5 record.ย ย ย
"I'm proud the way that our girls fought all season," said UCLA head coach Brandon Brooks.ย "I'm happy that my girls were able to show up today and put in the effort and get the stops when we needed them, and to come away with a victory, especially at home."ย ย
UCLA set the tone of the game from the start, notching two goals in the opening period while holding Michigan scoreless.ย After forcing a turnover on defense, Mackenzie Barr charged toward the goal.ย Barr then drew a foul and rocketed one in from up top to put the Bruins on the board.ย Shortly after, Elissia Schilling dished it to Alexis Angermund, who extended UCLA's lead to 2-0.ย ย
The squads traded power play goals in the second quarter.ย For the Bruins, Angermund notched her second goal of the game off an assist from Barr.ย Michigan's Amy Ridge then netted one to put the Wolverines on the board.ย
At the half, UCLA led Michigan 3-1.ย Offensively, the Bruins converted one of three power plays.ย On the defensive side, the Bruins dominated the Wolverines, forcing seven of 10 turnovers.ย
Michigan opened scoring in the second half with back-to-back goals from Caroline Anderson.ย First Anderson converted a power play after drawing an exclusion on Barr, then she notched the equalizer at the 2:35 mark.ย Less than 20 seconds later, Barr put the Bruins back on top, 4-3.ย After winning a loose-ball scuffle with Michigan keeper Julia Campbell, Barr fired a skip shot into the far corner.ย To close out the third period, Angermund registered a hat trick off a dish from Aubrie Monahan.
The final period was a defensive battle.ย It was not until the 2:08 mark that Michigan's Kelly Martin put one past Musselman to cut the Bruins' lead to 5-4.ย Michigan then had two opportunities to tie it up and send the game into overtime, but Musselman came up with two huge saves to thwart the Wolverines' comeback attempt.ย As time expired, UCLA held on for the win.
Musselman with a HUGE save to prevent Michigan from tying it up in the final seconds. Bruins win 5-4!! #ncaawwp pic.twitter.com/YgcqZs8jYf
โ UCLA Water Polo (@UCLAWaterPolo) May 15, 2016
"Going into the fourth quarter, we were up," said Angermund of the Bruins' strategy in the second half. "We tried to use most of the clock on offense. ย We really put all of our energy on defense."ย ย
Overall, the Bruins converted one of four power plays and assisted on three of their five goals.ย Defensively, UCLA forced 11 of Michigan's 15 turnovers.ย Devin Grab, Charlotte Pratt, Barr, and Musselman each tallied two steals.ย In the cage, Musselman registered eight saves. ย
Compiling six goals, two assists, and seven steals throughout the weekend, Barr was named to the NCAA All-Tournament First Team.
"Everything," said Brooks of what his team needs to work on for next season.ย "I think that next year's team will all of a sudden be a very experienced team. ย We should have nine seniors. ย I think that all year, we struggled with consistency and communication. ย It starts with that."
No. 3 UCLA (2, 1, 2, 0 โ 5)
Angermund โ 3; Barr โ 2
No. 4 Michigan (0, 1, 2, 1 โ 4)
Anderson โ 2; Martin, Ridge โ 1
Saves: UCLA (Musselman โ 8); Michigan (Campbell โ 7)
TOURNAMENT TOTALS
Total Appearances: 21
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 15
Overall Won-Lost Record: 57-11
NCAA Won-Lost Record: 34-8
Shutouts in Tournament Games: 2
Record in Championship Games: 11-3
Total National Championships: 11
NCAA Championships: 7
2nd Place Finishes: 3
3rd Place Finishes: 5
Most Consecutive Titles Won: 5
UCLA's All-Time Titles: 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Note: NCAA titles began in 2001
