Jan. 29, 2010

BERKELEY, CALIF. - Led by four goals from sophomore standout Emily Csikos and 16 saves from sophomore goalie Stephanie Peckham, the No. 4-ranked Cal women's water polo team opened its 2010 season with a 12-7 victory over No. 15 UC Santa Barbara Friday night (Jan. 29) at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears' win was one of three matches Friday during the first day of the 2010 NorCal Invitational held at Spieker Aquatics Complex. In the earlier contests, No. 3-ranked Hawaii topped UC Santa Barbara, 7-5, and the University of the Pacific, 11-5.

Csikos, a native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, gave Cal a 2-0 advantage with a pair of goals in the opening period. The Bears then extended their lead to 8-3 at the half with six different players scoring - seniors Stephanie Schnugg, Erin Scully and Camille Hewko, and freshmen Lauren Bridges, Dana Ochsner and Breda Vosters - in the second period.

The two teams matched goals with three each in the third period and one in the fourth, but Peckham made a difference with her stellar defense around the goal including six saves in the final quarter. Besides Csikos' four goals, Scully and Ochsner tallied two goals apiece to help pace Cal. The Bears had scrimmaged the Canadian National Team last week in preparation for the NorCal Invite.

Cal will be busy Saturday during the second day of the NorCal Invitational with four matches. The Bears face Cal State Monterey Bay at 9:15 a.m., Sonoma State at 3:30 p.m., UC Davis at 4:45 p.m. and Santa Clara at 7:15 p.m. The entire 11-team, 22-match NorCal Invitational schedule can be found on the women's water polo page under 2010 NorCal Invitational Schedule and Results. There will be no tournament champion determined for the NorCal Invitational.

UC Santa Barbara: 0-3-3-1 --- 7
California: 2-6-3-1 --- 12

UC Santa Barbara Goals: Katie Kepner 3,
Sienna van Alphen 2, Kacey Creek, Christie Clark

California Goals: Emily Csikos 4, Erin Scully 2,
Dana Ochsner 2, Stephanie Schnugg, Camille Hewko,
Lauren Bridges, Breda Vosters

UC Santa Barbara Saves: Ruth Milne 6

California Saves: Stephanie Peckham 16