UCLA Holds Off USC To Claim Fifth Straight NCAA Women's Water Polo Title
5/10/2009 8:00:00 AM | Water Polo
May 10, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior Tanya Gandy scored a game-high three goals, including two in the opening minute of the contest, and UCLA used a swarming defense to upend top-seeded USC, 5-4, and claim the 2009 National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Championship.
Third-seeded UCLA never trailed in winning its fifth straight national title.
The Bruins (25-6) held the Trojans to just one goal over the final 19:25 of the game.
Forel Davies' goal with nine seconds left in the third quarter cut the deficit to 5-4, but the Trojans (26-2) were never able to get the equalizer.
Brittany Fullen made 12 saves for UCLA. Anne Belden and Priscilla Orozco also scored for the Bruins.
Michelle Stein had two goals for USC which had its 16-game winning streak snapped.
In other action Sunday at Maryland's Eppley Recreation Center, No. 2 seed Stanford defeated fourth-seeded Hawai'i, 14-11, in the third-place game. No. 6 Michigan knocked off Loyola Marymount, 11-7, to claim fifth place and No. 7 Marist downed No. 8 Cal Lutheran, 16-11, to finish seventh.
NCAA All-Tournament Teams
First Team
Tanya Gandy - UCLA, field
Kami Craig - USC, field
Jessica Steffens - Stanford, field
Leah Robertson - Michigan, field
Leonie Van Der Molen - Hawaii, field
Lauren Silver - Stanford, field
Michelle Stein - USC, field
Tumua Anae - USC, goalkeeper
Second Team
Nicole Hughes - LMU, field
Anne Belden - UCLA, field
Kelly Eaton - Stanford, field
Katie Rulon - UCLA, field
Brittany Fullen - UCLA, goalkeeper (tie)
Ilse van der Meijden - USC, goalkeeper (tie)
Meredith Butte - Cal Lutheran, field
Rachel Sunday - Marist, field
MVP: Tanya Gandy - UCLA
