Los Angeles, Calif. – Though he plays a different sport, Cristiano Ronaldo once said, "To Be The Best You Need The Best." The Fordham water polo squad is taking that to heart this weekend, playing three nationally-ranked opponents this weekend in southern California, beginning with tonight's match against  #1 UCLA. The Rams gave a valiant effort against the defending national champions before falling to the Bruins, 16-11, at the Spieker Aquatics Center.
 
With the loss, Fordham falls to 9-1 on the season while UCLA improves to 13-0.
 
The Bruins led 4-0 after the first quarter and extended the lead to 5-0 early in the second.
 
Diego Tresa got the Rams on the board 1:12 into the second and Fordham scored the final three goals on the half to turn an 8-2 deficit into a 8-4 shortfall at the break.
 
The Rams trailed by four again at the endo f the third quarter, 11-6, before the Bruins 13-7 lead midway through the fourth.
 
Fordham got as close as four, 15-11, on a Vuk Kojic tally with 45 seconds remaining but that was as close as they would get.
 
Notes
• Andras Toth led the Rams with six goals and two assists while Tresa finished with a pair of goals.
 
• Fordham and UCLA have now met four times with the Bruins winning all four meetings.
 
• The previous three matches with UCLA were at a neutral site, the most recent a 16-9 Bruin win at Princeton last fall.
 
What's Next?
• The Rams continue their southern California trip with a match at #6 Long Beach State on Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. (EST).