Women’s Water Polo: Stanford Downs UCLA, 5-3

STANFORD, Cal., March 2. FOR the second time in less than a month, Stanford's top-ranked and defending national champion women's water polo team defeated No. 3 UCLA.

The score was 5-3 in a match played Friday, Feb. 28 at the Cardinal's Avery Aquatic Center.

In another classic battle between the Bruins and Stanford, the Cardinal (6-0) prevailed in a game that wasn't decided until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

After tying the score at 1-1 in the first quarter, the Bruins were forced to play catch-up the rest of the game. Coach Adam Krikorian's UCLA team, winners of the inaugural 2001 NCAA women's water polo championship here at Avery but losers in the finals last season to Stanford at USC, fell behind 3-1 and 4-2 in the second quarter.

Though the Bruin defense shut down the Cardinal in the second-half after allowing three goals in the second quarter, it wasn't enough as UCLA only managed to score one goal in the second half. A Cardinal penalty shot with six seconds remaining sealed the 5-3 victory.

After Stanford jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first quarter, Bruin Junior Natalie Golda answered back to tie the score at 1-1 with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

In the second quarter Stanford's offense came alive, scoring three goals, while another Golda goal accounted for UCLA's only offense.

In the third quarter the Bruin defense buckled down, holding the Cardinal scoreless while freshman Lauren Heineck's first collegiate goal with 50 seconds remaining in the period brought the Bruins to within one.

The final quarter was a fierce defensive battle with the Bruins unable to take advantage of two 6 on 5 opportunities. With six seconds remaining, a Maureen Flanagan ejection resulted in a penalty shot for the Cardinal. Stanford was able to convert the penalty opportunity and so the game ended 5-3.

Golda led the Bruin scoring effort with two goals. Heineck had the other goal to round out the scoring effort. Brenda Villa, Scotti Shafer, Laurel Champion, Lauren Faust and Julie Gardner all scored once for the Cardinal. Bruin goalkeeper Jaime Hipp had eight saves while Stanford goalie Jackie Frank recorded 14 saves.

BOX SCORE

UCLA VS. STANFORD

Teams 1–2–3–4–Final
UCLA 1–1–1–0–3
Stanford 1–3–0–1–5

Goals:
UCLA – Natalie Golda 2, Lauren Heineck 1
Stanford – Brenda Villa 1, Scotti Shafer 1, Laurel Champion 1, Lauren Faust 1, Julie Gardner 1

Saves:
UCLA – Jaime Hipp 8
Stanford – Jackie Frank 14

* * * * *

A day later (March 1) the Bruins upped their record to 6-3, 3-2 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play by defeating No. 8 San Jose Sate, 10-3, at the Spartans' home pool.

The Bruin defense was outstanding in the first half, holding the Spartans scoreless, while the offense built a 5-0 lead. In the third quarter the Bruins gave up their first goal of the game but still outscored the Spartans, 2-1, to take a 7-1 lead going into the final quarter.

In the final period the Bruins scored thrice for the final 10-3 win.

UCLA travels to Santa Barbara next weekend for the Gaucho Invitational. The Bruins' first game will be on Saturday March 8 at 9:00 AM versus Redlands.

BOX SCORE

UCLA VS. SAN JOSE STATE

Teams 1–2–3–4–Final
UCLA 2–3–2–3–10
San Jose State 0–0–1–2–3

Goals:
UCLA – Devon McIntyre 2, Robin Beauregard 2, Natalie Golda 1, Kristyn Pulver 1, Kelly Rulon 1, Maureen Flanagan 1, Katherine Belden 1, Kristina Kunkel 1
San Jose State – Jessica Levin 1, Beth Harberts 1, Dolores Johnson 1

* * * * *

No. 1 Stanford (7-0, 2-0 MPSF) posted its second win of the weeekend as the Cardinal blasted No. 10 U Cal Santa Barbara (6-6, 0-3 MPSF) Saturday afternoon (March 1) at Avery.

Junior Brenda Villa led the game in scoring with three goals while freshman Erica Wilson tabbed two goals.

The Cardinal will also compete next weekend at the UCSB Gaucho Invitational.

BOX SCORE

UCSB VS. STANFORD

Team 1 2 3 4 Final
Stanford 0–2–4–2–8
UCSB 1–0–1–0–2

Stanford Scoring: Brenda Villa 3, Erica Wilson 2, Nicole Huszcz 1, Hannah Luber 1, Kelty Luber 1.

UCSB Scoring: Jennifer D'Anna 1, Katy Kunkel 1.

Goalie Saves:
Jackie Frank (Stan) 9, Amanda Matuk (Stan) 1; Erin Enriquez (UCSB) 8.

6-on-5: Stanford 1-2; UCSB 2-4

Penalty Shots: Stanford: Brenda Villa 1-1.

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