Feb. 27, 2010

IRVINE, CALIF. - The California women's water polo team won their first two matches Saturday at the UC Irvine Invitational with a 13-5 win over No. 15 UC Davis, and later, an 8-4 victory over No. 6 Hawai'i at the Anteater Aquatics Complex. With these two wins, the Golden Bears improve to 12-2 on the season.

Senior Meghan Corso paced Cal with four goals the first day of the UC Irvine Invitational--three against UC Davis and one more against Hawai'i. Freshman Jennifer Docto and senior Stephanie Schnugg each scored three goals in the opening two rounds. The Bears' leading scorer, sophomore Emily Csikos, who was held scoreless in the first game against the Aggies, added two goals against the Rainbow Wahines, bringing her season total to 38. Sophomore goalie Stephanie Peckham was stellar defensively for Cal, notching 12 saves in each of the first two matches.

In the Bears' 13-5 victory over Davis, eight different scorers found the back of the net, led by three goals apiece from Corso and Docto. Cal shut out the Aggies in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Davis was able to match Cal's three goals in the second quarter, but still trailed by two at halftime. The Bears outscored the Aggies 8-2 in the second half, including five goals in the final period.

Later in the day, against Hawai'i, Cal jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the opening period, but the Rainbow Wahines were able to cut the score to 4-2 by halftime. After both teams scored one goal in the third quarter, the Bears outscored Hawai'i 3-1 in the final period. Csikos and Schnugg each scored twice in Cal's 8-4 win over the Rainbow Wahines.

The Bears are now 2-0 against UC Davis and 3-0 against Hawai'i on the year.

Cal will next play No. 2 USC Sunday at 11:45 a.m., and then, according to prior results, will either play in the third place match at 4:00 p.m. or the tournament championship at 5:15 p.m.

UC Davis: 0-3-1-1 --- 5
California: 2-3-3-5 --- 13
UC Davis Goals: Dana Nelson 2, Carey Faber, Ariel Feeney, Carly Ternasky
California Goals: Jennifer Docto 3, Meghan Corso 3, Breda Vosters 2,
Julie Oreglia, Stephanie Schnugg, Erin Scully, Kirsten Mase, Taylor Dodson
UC Davis Saves: Casey Hines 8
California Saves: Stephanie Peckham 12, Elizabeth Layton 1

Hawai'i: 0-2-1-1 --- 4
California: 3-1-1-3 --- 8
Hawai'i Goals: Monique Wilson, Monika Eggens, Dagmar Genee, Carmen Eggens
California Goals: Emily Csikos 2, Stephanie Schnugg 2, Julie Oreglia, Meghan Corso, Camille Hewko, Taylor Dodson
Hawai'i Saves: Serena Bredin 8
California Saves: Stephanie Peckham 12