Nov. 25, 2007
MPSF Tournament Central
BERKELEY, Calif. - Despite a fast start in Sunday's MPSF Tournament third-place game, the Stanford men's water polo team could not hold off the California rally, as the Golden Bears (26-4) used a six-goal second period to overtake the Cardinal (17-8) and capture the 12-9 victory at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
The Cardinal, ranked fourth in the nation heading into the tournament, finish the season with a 17-8 record and a fourth-place finish at the MPSF Tournament.
Drac Wigo posted a hat trick for Stanford, with Ryan McCarthy and Will Hindle-Katel each adding a pair of goals. Andrew Drake and Janson Wigo rounded out the Stanford scoring.
Things look to be going well early for the Cardinal, which was looking for its third victory over the Golden Bears this season, as it got out to a 3-1 lead after the opening period. But, much like in yesterday's semifinal loss to USC, one big period ended up turning things around on Stanford.
The Golden Bear offense and defense got in sync at the start of the second period, outscoring the Cardinal 6-1, then again 4-1 in the third period. Led by Michael Sharf's hat trick, and a pair of goals from both Zac Monsees and Jeff Tyrrell, California built an 11-4 lead after three periods that ultimately proved insurmountable.
Sandy Hohener made three saves for the Cardinal, while California's Mark Sheredy came up with seven saves.
Stanford 3 1 1 4 = 9
California 1 6 4 1 = 12
Stanford Goal Scorers: D. Wigo 3, Hindle-Katel 2, McCarthy 2, Drake, J. Wigo
California Goal Scorers: Sharf 3, Monsees 2, Tyrrell 2, Calder, Dudley, Haley, Hayes, Warden
Goalie Saves: Hohener 3 (S); Sheredy 7 (C)