Feb. 11, 2006
Stanford, Calif - Despite a strong all-around team effort by the third-ranked Cardinal, the second-ranked USC Women of Troy pulled out a narrow 9-7 victory in the second round of the 2006 Stanford Invitational on Saturday evening at the Avery Aquatic Center.
The two teams played even through the first 3 periods, with Stanford getting two goals apiece from Senior Nancy El-Sakkary (Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec) and Freshman Lauren Silver (Long Beach, CA). El-Sakkary's two-goal performance came on the heels of her three-goal performance earlier Saturday morning. However Southern California (4-0) pulled away in the fourth period despite a strong defensive effort by Goalie Meridith McColl (Mission Viejo, CA), who finished the evening with eight saves.
After an opening round victory over seventh-ranked Michigan, third-ranked Stanford (2-1) came out strong against the USC Women of Troy. The two teams traded goals back and forth through the first three periods, which ended in a 6-6 tie. The third period was highlighted by an amazing long-distance shot from Freshman Lauren Silver that had the energetic crowd cheering for more.
However the upset was not to be as USC came out strong in the fourth period, scoring three straight goals for a 9-6 lead and effectively putting the game out of reach for the Cardinal.Sunday morning at 8:30am the Cardinal will be back at it against the eleventh-ranked San Jose State Spartans at the Avery Aquatic Center. A victory will assure the Cardinal a spot in the 3rd place game later Sunday afternoon.
Stanford Invitational
#2 USC (4-0) 2 2 2 3 = 9
#3 Stanford (2-1) 2 2 2 1 = 7
USC Goals: L. Wenger 1, Figge 1, Van Norman 2, J. Wenger 1, Hayes 1, Mayer 1, Cardenas 2
USC Saves: Morgan 6
Stanford Goals: El-Sakkary 2, Shafer 1, Champion 1, Blyleven 1, Silver 2
Stanford Saves: McColl 8
Other Results
#11 SJSU (3-1) 0 2 2 3 = 7
#7 Michigan (6-2) 0 0 4 2 = 6
#1 UCLA (5-0) 1 3 3 3 = 10
#4 Hawaii (1-3) 0 0 2 1 =3
#6 Cal (3-1) 2 4 4 4 = 14
#16 ASU (4-1) 2 2 3 0 = 7
Remaining Schedule
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Avery Pool
8:30 am Stanford vs. San Jose State
9:30 am UCLA vs. ASU
Baker Pool
8:30 am USC vs. Michigan
9:30 am Hawaii vs. Cal
Avery Pool
1:00 pm 4th Place A vs. 4th Place B (7th Place Game)
2:10 pm 3rd Place A vs. 3rd Place B (5th Place Game)
3:20 pm 2nd Place A vs. 2nd Place B (3rd Place Game)
4:30 pm 1st Place A vs. 1st Place B (1st Place Game)