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UCSB Retains 6th Spot In Poll, Faces 5th Ranked UCLA on Sunday

Mar. 7, 2012

Baltimore, MD - The Gauchos held steady at 6th in the nation in the most recent U.S. Lacrosse WCLA National Rankings. UCSB, 7-1 overall and playing their 6th straight nationally ranked opponent, won a 17-16 double overtime game with then 10th ranked UC Davis on March 3rd. The Gauchos now face 5th ranked UCLA on Sunday in a battle of #5 versus #6 on the UCSB Rob Field turf. The Bruins are 8-1 overall coming off wins over Chapman, 3rd ranked at game time, and UC Davis.  Both UCSB and UCLA have followed a similar course so far this season.

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In their only loss UCSB dropped an 11-8 decision at the hands of then 9th ranked Michigan at the Shootout. Similarly UCLA lost at the Shootout 14-6 to then 5th ranked Georgia. Michigan is now the top ranked team in all the land and Georgia is 9th ranked. Ironically, both teams have experienced their loss, and a number of their wins, on the field where they will play on Sunday. UCSB lost to Michigan on Rob Field #1 and UCLA lost to Georgia on that same field during the Shootout. Both have won games there as well, UCLA in two other games during the Shootout and UCSB a number of times in multiple games. As if the national concerns are not enough both teams are undefeated in the WWLL Central Division. None of this will mean anything during play on the field on Sunday, of course, but it does seem to indicate fans will see a close game.

"This is a much different UCLA team than we've seen in the past," says UCSB head coach Paul Ramsey.

"The success UCLA had in the post-season last year, going from the 5th place team in our league championship tournament, squeaking into the national tournament and then playing their way to the national championship game has given them a sort of enduring momentum."

UCSB players look to counter that momentum with smart heads up play and the kind of energy that comes from playing at home. Ramsey hopes each and every one of his players can find a way to care less about the outcome when the first whistle blows. 

"We have to focus on winning ground balls, getting draw controls and finishing our chances without worrying too much about the outcome," comments Ramsey. "Lacrosse stuff and not the finality stuff." 

"Otherwise the stress of it being a big game will affect the outcome."