LOS ANGELES – The #4 Pacific men's water polo team (13-3) had its upset bid fall short in the fourth quarter as #2 UCLA (14-1) claimed a 12-11 win at Spieker Aquatics Center. The Tigers never trailed early and had a 7-3 lead at halftime. Pacific pushed the lead to five with the first goal of the third quarter before UCLA responded with five unanswered goals and tied the game after three quarters, 8-8.

The Bruins took the lead for the first time in the contest midway through the fourth quarter, going up 10-9 with 5:39 to play. Pacific tied it at 10 and 11 but could not get the lead back. Sophomore Mihailo Vukazic and senior Matthew Hosmer led the Pacific attack with three goals each. Senior Jeremie Cote had two goals. Sophomore Reuel D'Souza had one goal to go with a team-high three assists. 

"Tonight was a tale of two halves," said Head Coach James Graham. "The first half, we looked like the most dominant team in the nation. In the second half, we failed to have the intensity on defense to close out situations in front of us. This is the difference between winning big games and losing big games. Unfortunately, we learned that lesson tonight. We must learn from this, and it will make us better." 

The one-goal loss to the #2 Bruins is the second heartbreaking loss on the road to a top team this season for the Tigers. Pacific dropped a 16-15 overtime decision at then #1 California. Pacific does have a marquee win on its resume, a 15-13 win over then #3 USC at home. The Tigers have another opportunity when they host the current #1 team, the Stanford Cardinal, at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center on Saturday, Oct. 22.