May 14, 2010

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - Led by three goals apiece from senior Julie Oreglia and freshman Dana Ochsner, The No. 4-ranked California women's water polo team defeated No. 5 Michigan, 12-8, in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Women's Water Polo Tournament Friday (May 14) at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego.

The Golden Bears, directed by 1996 USA men's Olympic water polo coach Richard Corso, will next play No. 1 seed and Bay Area rival Stanford in the NCAA semifinals, Saturday, May 15 at 4 p.m. The Cardinal (25-2) were 23-3 victors over Pomona-Pitzer in another first round match. Cal is 0-3 versus Stanford this season, with one of those matches being an 8-7 defeat April 17 at Stanford.

"Our team is really fired up," said Cal coach Richard Corso. "Our first goal this season was to make the NCAA tournament and now we are in the final four and what better opponent for us to play than Stanford. It is a dream come true to play our rival. The girls are confident in their abilities and tomorrow (Saturday) will be the most important match of their lives. They are playing for a chance to earn a medal."

Cal had owned a 3-2 advantage after the first period and then jumped out to a 7-2 lead by outscoring the Wolverines, 4-0 in the second period. From there the Bears were able to keep Michigan at arms length and win their first NCAA tournament match in school history. Prior to women's water polo being an NCAA sport, Cal had competed in the National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Championship tournament from 1996-2000, finishing as national runners-up in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Besides the strong scoring of Oreglia and newcomer Ochsner, the Bears had two goals from senior Meghan Corso, and a goal apiece from senior Stephanie Schnugg, sophomore Emily Csikos, sophomore Elizabeth McLaren and senior Camille Hewko. Sophomore goalie Stephanie Peckham had another fine match with seven saves.

Other first day NCAA women's water polo tournament results included No. 2-seed USC defeating Marist, 20-5 and No. 3-seed UCLA falling to No. 6-seed Loyola Marymount, 6-5.

Michigan 2-0-5-1--8
Cal 3-4-4-1--12

Michigan goals: Lauren Orth 4, Alison Mantel 2, Keller Felt,
Leah Robertson

Cal goals: Dana Ochsner 3, Julie Oreglia 3, Meghan Corso 2,
Stephanie Schnugg, Emily Csikos, Elizabeth McLaren, Camille Hewko

Michigan goal saves: Alex Adamson 3, Morgan Turner 6

Cal goalie saves: Stephanie Peckham 7