April 20, 2001
STANFORD, Calif. - Top-ranked Stanford University became the first collegiate women's water polo program to complete an undefeated regular season with an easy 13-4 win over visiting UC Santa Barbara on Friday night at the Avery Aquatic Center.
The Cardinal finishes the regular season at 23-0, and captured the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season title with a perfect 10-0 mark. Stanford will be the top seed in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships on April 27-29 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The season then concludes with the NCAA Championships at Stanford University on May 12-13.
The Cardinal pulled away from the Gauchos (12-14, 4-5) early on Friday night to post its 17th win of the season by five goals or more. Stanford broke a 1-1 tie with consecutive goals by junior Margie Dingeldein (Merced, CA), sophomore Julie Gardner (Atherton, CA), freshman Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA) and junior Ellen Estes (Novato, CA) to take a commanding 5-1 advantage just 12 seconds into the second quarter. After UCSB cut it to 5-2, the Cardinal scored the final three goals of the first half and was not threatened the rest of the way.
Junior Kate Pettit (Bainbridge Island, WA), Dingeldein, Estes and Villa scored two goals apiece to lead the Cardinal. Seniors Anne-Marie Keenan (Woodside, CA), Kris Koblik (Davis, CA) and Kelly Shouey (Concord, CA) added a goal apiece in the final regular season home games of their career.
UC Santa Barbara received a goal apiece from junior Mary Blumberg (Piitsburg, CA), junior Britt Riss (Portland, OR), junior Kelley Tiffany (San Diego, CA) and sophomore Megan Wertz (San Diego, CA).
Schools1234---F
UC Santa Barbara 1111---4
Stanford4423---13
Scoring - UC Santa Barbara: Mary Blumberg 1, Britt Riss 1, Kelley Tiffany 1, Megan Wertz 1. Stanford: Margie Dingeldein 2, Ellen Estes 2, Kate Pettit 2, Brenda Villa 2, Julie Gardner 1, Jeanine Jackson 1, Anne-Marie Keenan 1, Kris Koblik 1, Kelly Shouey 1.
Saves - UC Santa Barbara: Yvonne Conard 8. Stanford: Jackie Frank 6, Alli Henry 2, Emma O'Hanlon 2.
Records - #6 UC Santa Barbara 12-14 overall (4-5 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation), #1 Stanford 23-0 (10-0).