No. 1 UCLA Surges Past Whittier, 16-3
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SAN DIEGO -- No. 1 UCLA (2-0, 0-0 MPSF) continued play in the Triton Invitational and posted a 16-3 win over Whittier (0-2) on Saturday afternoon at UCSD's Canyonview Aquatic Center.
Freshman center Eli Liechty led all scorers with four goals while senior center Felix Brozyna-Vilim had a hat trick of his own.
The Bruins led 3-0 at the end of the first period. UCLA got one goal each from Liechty, senior attacker/utility Jake Cavano and redshirt sophomore attacker Jack Larsen.
UCLA led 8-1 at halftime after putting up a five-spot in the second period. Brozyna-Vilim netted two scores in the second quarter, as did sophomore attacker Tanner Pulice. Freshman attacker Chase Dodd scored his only goal of the contest in the second frame.
The Bruins outscored the Poets 7-1 in the third period to extend the lead to 15-2 heading into the final stanza. Liechty had a hat trick just in the third quarter to finish the game with his four scores. Larsen netted his second of the game and Brozyna-Vilim got one past Whittier to complete his hat trick. Junior attacker Tommy Gruwell and redshirt sophomore utility Giorgio Alessandria each scored their only goal of the game in the third.
Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the fourth quarter. Junior attacker Andy Rodgers scored the only goal for the Bruins in the fourth quarter to provide the 16-3 final.
UCLA returns to action tomorrow at the Triton Invitational with a bout against No. 14 California Baptist University at Canyonview Pool at 9:50 a.m. before moving to Triton Pool to close out the weekend with No. 6 UC Santa Barbara at 1:50 p.m.
No. 1 UCLA vs. Whittier (UCSD Triton Invitational)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
| Whittier | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| No. 1 UCLA | 3 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 16 |
6x5 - UCLA - 3/8 - WC - 1/8
Penalties - UCLA - 2/3 - WC - 1/1
WC Goals: Max Murphy 3
WC Saves: not available
UCLA Goals: Eli Liechty 4, Felix Brozyna-Vilim 3, Jack Larsen 2, Tanner Pulice 2, Jake Cavano 1, Chase Dodd 1, Andy Rodgers 1, Tommy Gruwell 1, Giorgio Alessandria 1
UCLA Saves: not available