Jan. 24, 2009

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The No.5 California women's water polo team opened its 2009 campaign with an 8-6 win over No. 10 Michigan on Saturday morning. Freshman Emily Csikos paced Cal with two goals, the first of her Golden Bear career. With the victory in the opening day of the Michigan Kickoff, Cal improves to 1-0. The Bears will next play Indiana on Saturday afternoon.

Cal opened the game with a three-goal first period and silenced the Wolverine offense. The Bears tacked on two more goals in the second stanza to take a 5-0 lead into the halftime break.

Michigan got on the board in the third quarter with two goals. It was no match to Cal's three scores in the same quarter. The Wolverines came out strong in the final quarter of regulation with four goals. Even though Cal did not score in the fourth period, the Wolverine offensive was too little, too late, and the Bears won the game, 8-6.

Cal goalkeepers combined for 13 saves with redshirt freshman Stephanie Peckham stopping 10 shots and senior Lauren Burke grabbing three.

Score by period	1	2	3	4	F
No. 5 Cal		3	2	3	0	8
No. 10 UM		0	0	2	4	6

Cal goals: Emily Csikos 2, Remy Champion, Julie Oreglia, Laura Wood, Meghan Corso, Stephanie Schnugg, Athina Vazeos
UM goals: Alison Mantel, Mary Chatigny, Leah Robertson, Cara Reitz, Lauren Orth, Sharayah Hernandez
Cal saves: Stephanie Peckham 10, Lauren Burke 3
UM saves: Brittany May 5