UCLA
Uc Santa Barbara
Bruins Win Rainbow Classic
March 29, 2004 | Women's Water Polo
March 29, 2004
HONOLULU - UCLA topped UC Santa Barbara, 4-3, to claim the 2004 Rainbow Classic, Sunday, at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. The Bruins finished the three-day tournament with a 5-0-1 mark and improved to 13-3 on the year.
The two teams opened the match by playing tough defense as neither team scored in the opening period. A goal by UCLA's Brittney Bowlus on a pass from Kristina Kunkel at the 4-meter mark put the Bruins on the scoreboard first, 33 seconds into the second quarter. Another Bruin goal by Lauren Heineck at the 0:26 mark put UCLA ahead 2-0 going into the half.
After the break UCSB's Corrine Salera cut the Bruin lead to one. The Bruins bit back, as Molly Cahill scored on a penalty shot, after a Gaucho foul. A backhand goal by Bowlus with 0:05 remaining in the third gave UCLA a 3-1 lead.
UC Santa Barbara went on a late scoring run in the fourth period. UCSB's Erin Miller scored after stealing the ball from UCLA goalie Emily Feher. The Gauchos cut the lead to one on a penalty shot by Alaina Whitaker with 2:30 remaining. The Bruin defense proved to be too much for the Gauchos, as UCLA let the clock run out sealing the 4-3 win.
Only UCLA's games against San Jose State and UC Santa Barbara count towards their season record, the Bruins other games counted as exhibitions. UCLA will return to MPSF play this Tuesday when they face the University of Hawaii in Hawaii at 8:00 PM.
