The UCLA women’s water polo team secured an 18-7 victory over Indiana at Spieker Aquatics Center on Friday. This match marked the Bruins’ home opener in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) and Indiana’s first conference game of the season.
UCLA, currently ranked second, improved to an 11-1 overall record and 2-0 in MPSF play. Taylor Smith led the Bruins with three goals, marking her eighth hat trick of the season. Goalkeepers Lauren Steele and Joey Niz combined for nine saves. Indiana, ranked eighth, fell to 12-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Louisa Downes and Grace Klingler each scored twice for the Hoosiers, while Jasmine Higgs made eight saves.
Bia Mantellato opened scoring for UCLA just 15 seconds into the game. After a response from Downes, UCLA went on a four-goal run with contributions from Smith, Anna Pearson, Genoa Rossi, and Dania Innis. The Bruins held a 5-2 lead after one quarter.
In the second quarter, UCLA’s defense kept Indiana scoreless as Steele recorded three more saves. Fanni Muzsnay netted her first goal as a Bruin during this period. Smith and Elektra Urbatsch also scored before halftime, giving UCLA an 8-2 advantage at the break.
The Bruins extended their lead in the third quarter with goals from Urbatsch, Becca Melanson, and Lily Gess before Indiana ended its scoring drought. Mantellato added another goal to make it 12-3 entering the final frame.
UCLA reached its largest lead of 12 goals late in the fourth quarter. Innis, Pearson, Smith, Zoë Frangieh (twice), and Katherine O’Dea all contributed to the scoring tally. For the second consecutive week, Niz stopped a penalty shot.
“The Bruins are back in action Saturday, when they host No. 12 Michigan. The non-conference game gets underway from Spieker Aquatics Center at 1 p.m. PT.”
Indiana converted five out of eleven power plays while UCLA was successful on six out of nine opportunities. Indiana missed its only penalty shot attempt; UCLA converted its single chance.
Scorers for Indiana included Louisa Downes (2), Grace Klingler (2), Olivia Harris (1), Gwyneth Le (1), and Kylie Williams (1). Jasmine Higgs had eight saves in goal for Indiana.
For UCLA: Taylor Smith scored three times; Zoë Frangieh, Dania Innis, Bia Mantellato, Anna Pearson, and Elektra Urbatsch each had two goals; Lily Gess, Becca Melanson, Fanni Muzsnay, Katherine O’Dea, and Genoa Rossi added one apiece. Lauren Steele finished with six saves while Joey Niz had three.
