Nov. 16, 2007
STANFORD, Calif. - Lightning struck twice in the Stanford-California water polo rivalry, as the fourth-ranked Cardinal upset the top-ranked Golden Bears 10-9 in sudden-death overtime Friday night at Avery Stadium. This time it was Janson Wigo dealing defeat to Cal, as his goal at the 2:29 mark of the sudden-death overtime sent the home fans into a delirium and extended Stanford's season-long winning streak to seven games.
Stanford finishes the regular season with a 16-6 overall mark, and a 5-3 MPSF record. California falls to 24-3, and suffered its first loss in MPSF play, finishing at 7-1.
Just like in Stanford's victory by the same score and in sudden-death overtime back on Oct. 14, the Cardinal entered the final period down two goals and once again fought its way back towards the win in extra time.
The Cardinal also withstood the offensive flurry of Cal's Michael Sharf and Zac Monsees, who combined to score the Golden Bears' nine goals. Stanford matched the output with an all-around team effort, as Drac Wigo and Sage Wright led the team with two goals apiece, and additional goals came from Andrew Drake, Peter Finlayson, Will Hindle-Katel, Ryan McCarthy, and Cody Wiesen.
Both defenses came up big when necessary, as Stanford goalkeeper Sandy Hohener made nine saves and his Cal counterpart, Mark Sheredy, made 11.
Cal opened up the scoring with 3:16 left in the first period, as Sharf scored the first of his five goals on the night. Finlayson countered for Stanford 57 seconds later, but Monsees gave Cal the 2-1 lead after one with a goal just 23 seconds after Finalyson's equalizer.
The teams then combined for seven goals in the second period, as Cal managed to slightly extend their advantage to two goals, but the Cardinal hung tough and continued to chip away. After a goal from each squad in the third, the Cardinal faced a two-goal deficit heading into the fourth period of play, just like the first time the teams met at the SoCal Tournament.
And once again, Stanford overcame in the fourth period, getting consecutive goals from Drac Wigo and Hindle-Katel to tie things up at 7-7. Yet Sharf converted a five-meter penalty with 2:46 to play to put Cal back on top, and the teams exchanged possessions before Stanford called a timeout with 50 seconds to play.
Off the timeout, Wright found the net for the equalizer with 36 seconds left in regulation, then the Cardinal defense held firm, forcing overtime.There, the Cardinal struck first in the opening session, as Drac Wigo netted his second of the game, but Cal equalized in the second session thanks to Monsees.
That set the stage for the sudden-death, and Janson Wigo's heroics. With the game-winner, the Cardinal sealed its second win over Cal on the year, and gained valuable momentum heading into next weekend's MPSF Tournament in Berkeley.
Following this weekend's MPSF action, the seedings, along with game dates and times, will be determined. Continue to check gostanford.com for the latest on Stanford's draw in the MPSF Tournament.
California 2 4 1 1 - 0 1 0 = 9
Stanford 1 3 1 3 - 1 0 1 = 10
Stanford Goal Scorers: D. Wigo 2, Sa. Wright 2, Drake, P. Finlayson, Hindle-Katel, McCarthy, Wiesen, J. Wigo
California Goal Scorers: Sharf 5, Monsees 4
Goalie Saves: Hohener 9 (S); Sheredy 11 (C)