March 17, 1998

WESTWOOD, Calif.--Two-time national collegiate champion UCLA (1996, 1997) dominated No. 8 University of Massachusetts today, earning a 14-3 victory.

The Bruins were led in scoring by junior All-American Coralie Simmons, who netted three goals. Four Bruins notched two goals apiece, and a total of eight players tallied points for UCLA. The Bruins converted four of six penalty situations into scores. The UCLA defense, guided by senior goalie Nicolle Payne, held the Minutewomen scoreless until the fourth quarter, when sophomore Katie Grogan netted three goals. Payne had seven saves.

UMass put three points on the scoreboard, all coming in the final three and a half minutes of the game. One of Grogan's three goals came off a four-meter penalty shot. Netkeeper Peggy Nieves grabbed eight saves.

Today's matchup was the second between UMass and UCLA in intercollegiate women's water polo, and the second win for the Bruins. The win increases UCLA's record to 16-1 overall, and it remains at 4-0 in conference play. The Bruins have outscored their 1998 opponents 229-56. The Minutewomen fall to 7-2.

UCLA will return to the pool this weekend for two MPSF conference games. On Saturday, March 21, the Bruins host rival California at noon at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center. The Golden Bears are the only team that can claim a victory over UCLA since the beginning of the 1996 season. On Sunday, the Tigers of UOP will be in town for a noon match at the Men's Gym Pool.

UMass   0 0 0 3= 3
UCLA    7 3 2 2= 14

UMass:  Grogan 3.
UCLA: Simmons 3, Gall 2, Golaboski 2, McAloon 2, Tenenbaum 2, Beauregard, Cady,Guerin.
Saves:  UMass- Nieves 8, UCLA- Payne 7.