I appreciate the cordial response, part of me thought my reply was too ignorant of your points, perhaps we can start a podcast. The Tempkin transfer saga is definitely a mystery full of intrigue and it is doubtful us older folks will ever know the truth behind it all. Considering his commitment to the junior national team, his desires to be on the senior national team are completely justifiable as his primary reason to transfer.
However, I am curious on your thoughts on his decision being based around a personal desire to reunite with old teammates.
I’m also curious about your knowledge of Flack’s playing a part in Tempkin’s decision. I remember back in 2019, Tempkin was a high school sophmore who took a strong Harvard-Westlake team to OT at Campolindo, perhaps Flacks hasn’t forgotten and actively pursued Tempkin more then we assume.
I agree but it is easy to strategize around not letting one player shoot so UCLA will need to have a more balanced attack as you said. I think the response of Dodd shooting 7 for 14 against Cal the next day is a step in the wrong direction though. If Flacks can limit Dodd to 4 shots, what use is playing teams with just Dodd shooting when he is always open. I completely agree other players need to step up. But either way, Dodd can still single handedly win UCLA a title this year but it is the riskiest strategy UCLA can employ.
It’s very plausible that it’s as simple as life in New Jersey tends to pretty much suck no matter how much Ivy is on the walls and Flacks likely flipped him a few bucks.
One note as I have watched a lot of Princeton water polo over the past two years. Kovacs is a very, very good goalie. I would also point out that Princeton has no backup goalie and that kid is playing every single game.
I thought Kovacs was the best goalie on the East Coast last season with Temkin and Lercari (who has also gone up a level this season) being in the discussion. I will say that Temkin has looked incredible to start this season and is worthy of being in the Cutino discussion but Kovacs has still been fantastic.
I have no knowledge from Flack’s perspective or from the CCU perspective either. But, lets just say if you are going to leave a school as prestigious as Princeton, there was really only one option and that is Stanford. I don’t think Cal was ever going to get him, although it would of been a good fit. What nobody knows is, was he made promises on the starting job or guaranteed playing time? Seems silly that he would chance leaving to be another back up, but we’ll probably never know if he took a chance or knew he would start. And yes, I predicted he would start, because I think he’s the better goalie and he seemed to pass up Price on team USA as well.
All due respect Rb, because you know more about polo that I will ever know, how do you explain Ashleigh Johnson who went 4 years to Princeton and has been our mainstay on the women’s side for many years? If you are good, you are good – no matter where you play. Also West, splitting time with an underclassman is not a good look. Additionally, we already have one hell of a goalie in Weinberg so the need isn’t really there until Adrian decides he doesn’t want to play any more. If Adrian plays as long as Merrill, I don’t think it will much matter…peace
I completely agree that it shouldn’t matter where you go to school. But the difference is, Ashleigh is coached by Adam Krikorian and Dejan calls the shots for the Men’s team. It all depends upon the coach. Also, on your Weinberg point…you never know when someone is going to quit water polo. No guarantees he sticks around another 4 years and we are always thin at the goalie position.
And Dejan might be right by the way. Its working out for West, he is getting more experience than he would be at Princeton, plus add on the loads of extra training that non-Ivy teams get to do, and he will be a better goalie at Stanford.
Also, I shouldn’t of said Big 4 school. I think the point was for him to start somewhere that gets to train year around. But lets be honest, you aren’t leaving an Ivy for just any D1 school.
Cal Baptist 12, U.C. Irvine 11
That’s a head scratcher
I watched the second half last night. Tied 5-5 at half. UCI has 3 threats if they are off they are off. CBU did a good job containing kristich and francisco had moments of brilliance and then not so much brilliance. CBU’s Goalie played great, except for a half court goal at the end of the 3rd by Francisco. but he was turning away many outside shots that UCI relies on going in. CBU got lucky on a few possessions, Kristich missed a 5 meter. Puhl should have been called for an offensive pushing off of francisco at 5 meters while shooting, and a bad bounce off a good solid block that was put in for a goal. Based off this weeks rankings I feel anyone in the 4-18 spots could beat each other. The top 3 stand out but the rest are all great competitive games.
Just saw the CBU v. UCI game…
Klatt, take some notes from Flacks and have your team ready to play against all opponents…
CBU goalie way to take the bull by the horns! He came up big as did the whole CBU defense and offense. UCI thought this was a walkover, it wasn’t. Maybe this is a good thing for these boys. Take every game seriously. You get a good ranking and relax…This is competition you cannot relax.
H2O God, I’m sorry to tell you that UCI did switch goalies in the 4th. Don’t sleep on the Lancers
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Thanks!
I watched at home on large screen. Both wear 1 cap? Looks like they switched at the half. Who knows? Anyone at the game?
The Fosh is wrong all the time. Funny how it is a pay application.
I agree you do not sleep on the Lancers. That was a great effort by those boys!
I had a friend at the game and they told me the goalie change was made going into the 4th.
I am posting each thought individually to see if there is one that is a winner, winner chicken dinner.
The rankings this week seem to be a little better.
Thoughts, Is Stanford peaking now? Is UCLA going to find it’s verve? I think that the Stanford Goalie may dash Wright’s plans.
I agree that the top three are above the rest. 4-12 can rise up. The rest are left out.
SDfan to address the UCSB disaster…I do agree they have some talent in the water and that they are having trouble with defense. I disagree that their goalie is adequate. His stats show that his level of play is not D1. Look at CBU goalie. Great game. The UCSB GK doesn’t even have those numbers against D3 teams. He has been on the bottom side of every game this season. This has an effect on his teammates. There is only so much the field can do to protect the goal.
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