May 8, 2004

2004 MPSF All-Tournament Team in PDF Format
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DENVER, Colo. - California won its first-ever conference title Saturday afternoon, claiming the inaugural Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship with a spectacular 11-10 win over Stanford at Pioneer Field. The Golden Bears scored the contest's final three goals and recorded the game-winner with just six seconds remaining on the clock to defeat the Cardinal for only the third time in program history.

Senior attacker Colleen O'Mara led the Bears with three goals and an assist, but it was her third score that mattered most. With 38 seconds on the clock, O'Mara tied the game with an assist from senior midfielder Julianne Wu. As the clock continued to wind down, sophomore attacker Leanne Zilioli found the back of the net with a mere six seconds remaining, scoring Cal's game-winner unassisted to conclude an amazing championship run.

"Each and every player had confidence in themselves today," said California head coach Jill Malko, who's Bears finished the season 10-8 overall. "We played so well on Thursday against Denver. Today we just focused on our game and made opportunities for ourselves. We deserved to win."

Freshman goalkeeper Hilary Lynch received MVP honors on the MPSF All-Tournament Team following her stellar play in goal for the Bears, after she notched 11 saves against the Cardinal. Zilioli, O'Mara, junior defender Erin Hafkenschiel and sophomore defender Schuyler Sokolow were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

"I think Hilary Lynch has a ton of talent," said Malko. "She had a great year. She earned this. And Jen Nardi made a huge difference as our goalie coach. The combination of the two made for a fine freshman goalie."

Stanford's Megan Burker scored the game's first goal and kicked off a back and forth first half between the two teams, resulting in a 4-4 tie at halftime. Burker finished the game with three goals and an assist to lead the Cardinal, which concluded its season 9-9 overall following the loss.

The second half went much the same way, with Stanford taking a 6-4 lead four minutes in only to be tied again, 7-7, with 17:53 remaining when Wu scored on a free-position shot. Cal was tied again at 8-8 with 8:50 on the clock and down 10-8 with 6:35 remaining before the Bears rolled off three-straight goals to claim victory.

"It was the perfect way to end the season," said O'Mara. "Every time we play that team it's such an emotional game. This was a great way for the seniors to end our careers."

California Women's Lacrosse Result:
Pioneer Field, Denver, Colo.

Score By Period   1  2   Total
California        4  7 - 11
Stanford          4  6 - 10

GOALS: Cal - O'Mara 3, Reifsnyder 1, Wu 1, Brady 1, Zilioli 1, Cavallo 1, Smith 1, Paul 1, Sokolow 1; Stanford - Burker 3, Piselli 2, Bach 1, Kahill 1, Twist 1, Calzonetti 1, DeChant 1. ASSISTS: Cal - O'Mara 1, Reifsnyder 1, Wu 1; Stanford - Bach 1, Burker 1, Harvey 1. SAVES: Cal - Lynch 11; Stanford - Saikus 12. SHOTS: Cal 25, Stanford 28. GROUND BALLS: Cal 19, Stanford 20. TURNOVERS: Cal 11, Stanford 11.