April 20, 2007

BERKELEY, CALIF. - The No. 6-ranked California women's water polo team gave No. 1-ranked Stanford a tight match before finally yielding, 10-8, in the Big Splash Friday night at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The young Golden Bears, whose lone senior is All-American Elsie Windes, dropped to 10-10 overall and 6-6 in the MPSF. The top-ranked Cardinal improved to 22-1 and 11-0 in league play.

On a night when Cal honored Windes before playing her final home match, Cal had jumped out to a 2-1 first period lead on goals by freshmen Darby Anderson (2:48) and Meghan Corso (1:35). Stanford was able to outscore the Bears 4-3 in the second period, bolstered by three goals from senior Christina Hewko's, to tie the match, 5-5. The Cardinal's Alison Gregorka tallied the tying goal with 17 seconds left in the second period. Freshman Julie Oreglia, freshman Grace Reynolds and Windes notched scores for Cal in the second quarter.

Stanford took control of the contest by outscoring Cal, 2-0, in the third period on goals by Katie Hansen with 6:55 left in the quarter, and Lauren Silver at 3:33 remaining, to jump ahead, 7-5.

But the Bears made the match interesting by scoring the first two goals of the fourth period. Corso was able to get Cal within one on a long shot from 10 meters out with 7:38 left in the match. Then Corso tied the game, 7-7, when she scored on a five-meter penalty shot with 6:46 left.

Stanford was able to again regain control by going on a 3-0 run in behind a goal from Katie Hansen (6:07) and a pair of goals from Kira Hillman (5:05 and 3:01). The Bears made the final score, 10-8, when Windes scored a backhand goal after picking up a deflected shot attempt by Molly Hayes.

Cal will next compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament, Apr. 26-29, in Tempe, Ariz.

Stanford  1 4 2 3 - 10
California 2 3 0 3 - 8
Scoring:
Stanford: Christina Hewko 3, Alison Gregorka 2,
Katie Hansen 2, Kira Hillman 2,Lauren Silver
California: Meghan Corso 3, Elsie Windes 2,
Darby Anderson, Grace Reynolds, Julie Oreglia

Saves:
Stanford: Meridith McColl - 6
California: Heather Stuart - 5