May 2, 2004
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - The second-seeded Stanford women's water polo team (20-4) took second place at the 2004 MPSF Tournament after falling to top-seeded USC (27-0) 8-7 in overtime of the championship game on Sunday at the U.S. Water Polo National Aquatic Center.
USC out-scored Stanford 2-1 in overtime to come away with the tournament title. In OT, Anna Pardo scored her third goal of the game at 0:02.67 in the first overtime, giving USC a 7-6 lead. In the second overtime, Moriah Van Norman scored at 0:53.86 to give the Women of Troy an 8-6 lead.
Stanford had one final goal, at 0:33.03 by Lauren Faust, but USC was able to run out the clock and earn the victory.
USC's Brittany Hayes sent the game into overtime with a goal with 0:16:32 left in regulation, her second goal of the game. The goal came after a Stanford ejection at 0:40:30, giving the Women of Troy a man advantage. Stanford had the ball at the end of regulation, but was not able to get a shot off, sending the contest to overtime.
The Cardinal led 5-3 at the half as back-to-back goals by Kelty Luber propelled the Cardinal. Two third quarter goals by USC's Pardo tied the game at 5-5, before Christina Hewko's goal at the end of the quarter gave the Cardinal a 6-5 lead. Hayes' goal at the end of the contest was the only goal in the fourth quarter.
Faust led the Cardinal with three goals, followed by Kelty Luber with two scores. Stanford goalie Meridith McColl tallied five saves.
All four Cardinal losses came at the hands of USC this year. The Trojans earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Championship. An at-large selection from the NCAA Women's Water Polo Committee will join Hartwick College, Loyola Marymount and USC to compete for the national title.
Scoring Summary
1 2 3 4 OT1 OT2 F
Stanford 2 3 1 0 0 1 7
USC 2 1 2 1 1 1 8
Stanford Scorers: Lauren Faust (3), Kelty Luber (2), Laurel Champion, Christina Hewko
USC Scorers: Anna Pardo (3), Brittany Hayes (2), Erin Wilson, Liz Simms, Moriah Van Norman
Goalie Saves: Meredith McColl, Stanford 5; Kelly Graff, USC 9