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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 14, 2003

UCLA's Flanagan 'best' water polo player

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

This is what UCLA water polo coach Adam Krikorian, whose Bruin women defeated top-ranked Stanford, 4-3, Sunday to win their sixth national championship in eight years, said yesterday about senior Maureen "Mo" Flanagan (Punahou '99 of Hawai'i Kai):

"In all five games we played against Stanford this year, I matched Mo up against (2002 national college Player of the Year) Brenda Villa.

"Brenda is one of the best players in the world and is certainly an offensive force (leading scorer in the 2002 Women's World Cup).

"Over those five games, with Mo defending her, Brenda scored only twice — and in our final two games against Stanford (the conference championship and the NCAA final), Villa did not score a single goal.

"With the seven overtimes in the conference final, those last two championship games added up to a total of 77 minutes played.

"That's 77 minutes Mo was matched up with one of the best players in the world and shut her down.

"Maureen Flanagan is one of the most underrated players in the country and is the best perimeter defender in the nation.

"I've always said, great competitors are always great defenders. She's one of the fiercest competitors and best defenders I've ever coached."

In addition to her defensive play, Flanagan was second on the team this season in assists with 22, including a pass that led to the go-ahead goal in Sunday's national championship game.

Flanagan's younger sister, Katie (Punahou '02), was a freshman reserve on the UCLA team. Junior Leah Wilson (Iolani '00 of Hawai'i Kai) also was a reserve.

Dartmouth

Freshman Kristin Simunovich (Punahou '02 of Kailua) started for the Big Green club team that won the New England Championships and placed third in the National Club championships May 3 in Kenosha, Wis.

Punahou senior Sara Rosa will join her former high school teammate on the Dartmouth club next season.