Rousseau Keys UCLA Water Polo Win

The top-ranked UCLA water polo team and junior all-American Alexis Rousseau did nothing to detract from their reputations as the Bruins opened the season last weekend by winning the championship of the annual John Wasko Memorial Water Polo Tournament at Pepperdine.

Paced by Rousseau’s 17 goals, the Bruins won four straight matches and defeated Pepperdine, 15-6, in the final. They also drubbed Loyola Marymount, 27-4; Cal State Los Angeles, 21-2, and Navy, 15-6.

Bruin seniors Scott Leonard and Hank Peterson each scored 11 goals, and goalies Mike VanderWaerdt, a senior, and Dan Hackett, a freshman, had 19 and 23 saves. Senior Fernando Carsalade, a three-time all-American, did not play because of a minor injury.

UCLA will compete Friday through Sunday) in the UC Irvine Invitational, opening at noon Friday against UC Davis. Other top teams in the field include No. 2 California, No. 3 USC and No. 4 Cal State Long Beach.