UCLA wins 4th NCAA title in row

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008 | by Jack Carey

Dominant defensively and efficient on offense, UCLA fought off rival Southern California 6-3 Sunday in Stanford, Calif., to win the NCAA women's water polo championship. UCLA (33-0) won its fourth consecutive national crown and sixth NCAA title overall.

Trailing 5-1 late in the third quarter, USC drew within three on a goal by Michelle Stein with 1:03 left. But freshman Priscilla Orozco restored the Bruins' four-goal lead with 6:15 left in the game. That gave UCLA some breathing room until USC's Miranda Nichols scored 44 seconds later. The Trojans (21-8) had only empty possessions thereafter.

"We played great today; we played so tough defensively," Bruins coach Adam Krikorian said. "I'm happy for the girls, especially the seniors. Defense builds a lot of...