April 29, 2005

BERKELEY, CA - The No. 8-ranked California women's water polo team fell behind early against Bay Area rival Stanford and could not recover, losing to the Cardinal, 7-3, in the quarterfinals of the 2005 MPSF Tournament Friday at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears fell to 16-10 overall, and will face No. 13-ranked San Diego State (15-17) in the MPSF semifinals, Saturday, Apr. 30 at 12:15 p.m. Stanford improved to 19-5 and will play No. 2-ranked USC Saturday at 3:15 p.m. on a match shown live on ESPNU.

The Cardinal dominated the first period behind two goals from Katie Hansen, and goals from Scotti Shafer and Nancy El-Sakkary to take a 4-0 lead. Cal finally was able to get on the scoreboard when junior Allison Gold notched a shot to the bottom left side of the goal with 4:33 in the second period. Unfortunately for the Bears, Stanford again upped its lead when Christina Hewko skipped a water shot past Cal goalie Alex Feune de Colombi with 13 seconds left in the half for a 5-1 lead.

The two teams played even the final two periods. Bear sophomore Elsie Windes scored at 6:38 in the third when a shot by teammate Breana Allison deflected off of by Stanford goalie Meridith McColl and was corralled by Windes. The Cardinal's Hannah Luber responded by scoring on a scoop shot from two-meters with 3:54 in the third period.

In the fourth period, Gold added her second goal off an assist from Katie Card with 6:03 left in the match. Stanford later got its seventh goal on Hansen's third score with 3:44 left in the fourth period.

Cal goalie Alex Feune de Colombi finished with another strong match, recording 12 saves, and Cardinal goalie McColl had an impressive 15 saves.

#6 California 3  #3 Stanford 7
Cal 0 1 1 1 - 3
Stan 4 1 1 1 - 7
Goals - Cal - Allison Gold 2, Elsie Windes.
Stan - Katie Hansen 3, Nancy El-Sakkary, Christina Hewko,
Hannah Luber, Scotti Shafer.
Saves - Cal - Alex Feune de Colombi 12.
Stan - Meridith McColl 15.
Records: Stan 19-5, Cal 16-10

For complete match scoring, find link at www.calbears.com
2005 MPSF Women's Water Polo Championship
Semifinal Schedule for Apr. 30, 2005
Game 11 #12 Arizona State vs. #8 UC Irvine 8:30 a.m.
Game 12 #11 San Jose State vs. #7 UC Santa Barbara 9:45 a.m.
Game 13 #9 Cal State Northridge vs. #5 Long Beach State 11 a.m.
Game 14 #10 San Diego State vs. #6 California 12:15 a.m.
Game 15 #4 Hawaii vs. #1 UCLA 2 p.m.
Game 16 #3 Stanford vs. #2 USC 3:15 p.m.
Bold denotes matches televised live on ESPNU

2005 MPSF Women's Water Polo Championship
Quarterfinal Results, Apr. 29, 2005
Game 6 #12 Arizona State 6, #13 Pacific 5
Game 7 #1 UCLA 14, #-9 CS Northridge 4
Game 8 #2 USC 9, #10 San Diego State 5
Game 9 #3 Stanford 7, #6 California 3
Game 10 #4 Hawaii 8, #5 Long Beach State 7 OT

2005 MPSF Women's Water Polo Championship
First Round Results, Apr. 28, 2005
#4 Hawaii 15, #13 Pacific 6
#5 Long Beach State 8, #12 Arizona State 4
#6 California 7, #11 San Jose State 5
#10 San Diego State 7, #7 UC Santa Barbara 4
#9 Cal State Northridge 10, #8 UC Irvine 9