UCLA
Stanford
Bruins Pay Visit to Top-Ranked Cardinal
April 14, 2017 | Women's Water Polo
The Bruins head north to face the No. 1ย Stanford Cardinal in yet another MPSF meeting of two of the nation's highest-ranked teams. Play at the Avery Aquatic Center will begin at 3:00 p.m.
The Series -- The Bruins hold a 32-41 all-time record against the Cardinal. Stanford is UCLA's most frequent opponent (USC is second with 72 meetings). The teams faced off three times in 2016, as the Cardinal captured two out of three contests. After UCLA pulled out a 9-8, triple-overtime win at Spieker Aquatics Center (April 23), Stanford twice defeated the Bruins in the postseason, beginning with a a 6-3 decision in the semifinals of the MPSF Tournament at CSU Bakersfield (April 30). Then, in another semifinal tilt, Stanford put an end to UCLA's NCAA title hopes with a 7-4 win back at Spieker Aquatics Center (May 14).
Coming Up -- The Bruins will celebrate Senior Day and close out the regular season with a visit from crosstown rival USC in an MPSF showdown on April 22. Play at Spieker Aquatics Center will begin at 1:00 p.m. and be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.
Top-Tier Competition -- Last week, the Bruins defeated No. 4 Arizona State behind four goals from Alexa Tielmann. The redshirt senior contributed one of four multi-goal efforts to the cause, as the Bruins posted five second-quarter goals to distance themselves from the Sun Devils. With the win, the Bruins improved to 3-1 against Top-4 teams on the season. UCLA has recorded two wins against then-No. 4 California (12-11, Feb, 26; and 10-4, March 18) and one against No. 4 Arizona State (13-5, April 8). The Bruins suffered their lone loss to No. 2 USC (10-9, Feb. 25). On the year, the Bruins have outscored Top-4 opponents, 44-30. Individually, Rachel Fattal leads the Bruins with 10 goals and five steals in those contests. Kodi Hill, meanwhile, has posted a Bruin-high 11 assists. Maddie Musselman and Alys Williams have posted seven goals apiece.
Exclusive Company -- The Bruins have outscored opponents 301-73 through 19 games this season. The 301 goals scored stands as the most by a Bruin team over that period of time, a record that it holds by eight goals over the next closest team (2007). The 228-goal difference between UCLA and its opponents, meanwhile, is also a record. The next closest margin of 194 (293-99) was also set by the 2007 team. With the 73 goals allowed, the 2017 Bruins have only been bested by their predecessors from 2003 (55), 1996 (61), 1998 (64) and 2006 (70) and matched by the 2002 team.
Fattal Steals the Show -- With three first-half steals in the Bruins' 13-5 win over Arizona State (April 8), Fattal moved into sole possession of first place on UCLA's all-time career steals list. The redshirt senior finished with four takeaways on the day to give her 183 over the course of her four seasons. Kelly Rulon (2003, 05-07) previously held the mark at 181. It has been a year of milestones and records for the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, who netted a hat trick against CSU Bakersfield (March 11) to become the fourth member of the school's 200-career-goal club. The list previously included just Kelly Rulon (237 - 2003, 05-07), Coralie Simmons (235 - 1996-98, 2001) and Katie Rulon (201 - 2006-09). Then, with Fattal's four second-half scores against Cal, the attacker passed Katie Rulon to move into sole possession of third place with 204 career goals. Fattal currently sits at 208 career goals.
Musselman Making Moves -- With her hat trick against Arizona State (April 8), Musselman has posted three straight hat tricks and five in seven games. She has 10 three-goals games on the year. Over her first 19 games, Musselman has accumulated Bruin-best totals of 48 goals, 40 steals and 27 sprints won (tied with Fattal). The freshman has garnered five MPSF Newcomer of the Week awards on the season. The UCLA record for goals scored by a first-year player is held by teammate Rachel Fattal, who racked up 68 goals in 2013.
In the Cage -- Goalkeeper Carlee Kapana has tallied 151 saves over 16.99 games played this season (8.89 saves per game). The sophomore, meanwhile, has allowed just 11 goals in the Bruins' first four MPSF contests (2.75 goals against average), including zero in their conference-opening win over San Jose State. In four of her appearances this season, Kapana has surrendered just one goal. For the year, she holds a 3.77 GAA. Kapana also earned her second career MPSF honor and first Player of the Week award on Feb. 21. Freshman Hannah Storum, meanwhile, has finished in the cage on eight occasions. She has tallied 20 saves and surrendered nine goals in 8.05 quarters played this season. Between the two goalies, the Bruin GAA sits at 3.84. That is currently the fourth-best mark on the UCLA single-season record list. Ahead of this year's group are the 2003 (2.86), 1998 (2.89) and 1996 (3.23) teams.
Bruins Remain Third in CWPA Poll -- Once again, UCLA checked in at No. 3 in the CWPA poll. The Week 13 installment was announced Wednesday. While the Bruins topped No. 4 Arizona State, 13-5, top-ranked USC hosted No. 2 Stanford in a rematch of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational title game. On a quest to avenge its 10-9 overtime loss (Feb. 26), Stanford successfully ousted the Trojans and snapped their 52-game winning streak with a 12-8 win. In this week's poll, Stanford regained the top spot, while USC fell to No. 2. Rounding out Top-5 action, California defeated San Jose State on the road, 12-6. The Sun Devils and Golden Bears remain No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
Head Coach Brandon Brooks -- Brandon Brooks (UCLA '05) returns for his eighth season, having compiled a 178-39 record over his first seven. Brooks, the 2015 MPSF Coach of the Year, has coached UCLA to three MPSF Tournament titles in six seasons (2010, 2012, 2015). In addition, the Bruins have advanced to the MPSF Tournament championship match five times during his tenure. Twenty-three of Brooks' players have earned 39 All-America certificates, and 21 players have earned 38 All-MPSF awards. As an assistant coach with the men's and women's programs, Brooks was involved in four NCAA championships, and as a player, he was part of two NCAA title teams (1999 and 2000). A two-time Olympic goalkeeper, Brooks was the starting goalkeeper for the 2004 U.S. team that won the silver medal in Athens.
