Feb. 8, 2003

STANFORD, CA - The No. 5 ranked Cal women's water polo team started off the 2003 season going 1-1 during the first day of the Stanford Invitational, defeating No. 14 ranked Indiana, 10-3, before falling to No. 1 ranked and defending national champion Stanford, 7-4.

Against the Hoosiers, the Bears were led by the scoring of sophomores Cara Chlebicki and Jodie Needles, who tallied three goals apiece. Redshirt freshman Lauren McGee chipped in two goals, while redshirt freshman Brittany Hansen and true freshman Katie Card each added a goal. Junior goal Lauren Dennis had 10 saves.

In the evening match against the Cardinal, Needles, Chlebicki, Card and Allison Gold each scored single goals for Cal, and Dennis finished with nine saves. The Bears only trailed Stanford, 2-1, after the first period, but the Cardinal held Cal scoreless in the second and third periods. Both teams scored three goals in the final period, but the 2-0 deficit in the second and third quarter was too much for the Bears to make up.

Cal will next play San Jose State at 9 a.m. at the Baker Pool at the Avery Aquatics Complex. The Spartans went 1-1 in the first day, losing to Stanford, 8-3, before defeating Indiana, 11-9. The Sunday afternoon schedule for the Bears will be determined by other tournament results.

For complete scoring of the Stanford Invitational, check www.gostanford.com.