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It is time for UCLA head coach Guy Baker and the Bruins to begin a new era. Last year at this time, UCLA was returning the largest group of seniors since Baker's tenure began, and on their strength, the Bruins captured their second consecutive NCAA championship. But UCLA will have to capitalize on its youth this season if it expects to three-peat as champions.
Make no mistake about it, the Bruins want another national title. According to Baker, their goal remains the same as it was in previous years. "...Get to the NCAA Tournament, then win it. We'll do whatever it takes to get there." Getting to that Final Four may prove to be the biggest challenge the young squad faces this season. The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) in 1997 is full of talented teams. Every MPSF match could be key to winning the league, and no team can be overlooked. California is the potential favorite, along with Pepperdine, while Stanford and USC are comparable to the Bruins in youth and talent. But since only two teams from the MPSF can earn an invitation to the four-team NCAA Tournament, the conference matches will be of tremendous importance.
The young 1997 Bruins return to the pool as two-time NCAA champions, most recently defeating top-ranked cross-town rival USC for the 1996 title. This season, however, Baker will be without four All-Americans, including two-time Player of the Year Matt Swanson and Olympic alternate Jim Toring, and minus the experienced services of three other graduates, as well as two other letterwinners.
So the new era begins with two seniors and a total of six upperclassmen leading the charge. Co-captains Steve Covec and Brett Stern will guide the youthful squad, which, although young at the important positions up the middle, can boast tremendous strength at the playmaking and attacking positions. The Bruins will utilize their speed and creative playmaking abilities to compensate for inexperience at the two-meter and goalkeeping spots.
Covec is perhaps the most celebrated and well-known of the returning players. In both 1995 and1996 he was selected to the NCAA All-Tournament team, and he is credited with two of the Bruins' seven goals in the '96 championship match vs. USC. The 6-1 driver from Palo Alto, CA, also has an impressive record on the starting line, having started every game but one in his three-year career. UCLA relies on the speedy southpaw to lead fast breaks and convert six-on-five advantages. "Covec provides leadership by example," says Baker, "and his experience is key, both in the water and out."
Baker will continue to look to Stern as the "best defensive player," the one who gets the toughest assignments every game. Stern, who spent the 1994-95 seasons serving his Mormon mission in Brazil, has also started to see his offensive game return. The defensive specialist made an intense physical commitment in the off-season to improve his overall game. In the 23 year-old Stern, Baker has a leader with a different perspective than his younger teammates. Stern's experience figures to have a positive impact on the entire squad.
Ambidextrous sophomore Brian Bent has been described by Baker as "the best offensive/defensive two meter player, and a key for the season." The Bruins are counting on Bent to build on a productive freshman year and fill the shoes of the graduated Jeremy Braxton-Brown. Redshirt freshman Dave Parker, fresh from a walk-on role with the UCLA basketball team, also anticipates a starting role at the two meter position, using his 6-8 frame as an imposing force in front of the goal.
Sophomore James Palda and junior Matt Armato return to the Bruin lineup with a wealth of experience and successful 1996 seasons. Juniors Sam Grayeli, Eric Helfer and Aaron Harries, as well as redshirt freshman Adam Wright, are also ready to play and expect to be major contributors.
Newcomers Nick Hill and Sean Kern will more than likely get the nod for quality minutes. Kern, regarded as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, brought a laundry list of awards with him to Westwood from the prestigious Hawaiian League. It is expected that he will have an immediate impact on the squad. Hill, the No. 1 goalkeeper recruit, will battle with three other goalies to fill departed netkeeper Swanson's duties.
Baker has called this squad, "the most competitive group I've ever been around for their age bracket." He is hoping that competitive edge can propel the Bruins to a third consecutive NCAA title.