April 28, 2007
No. 1 Stanford got five goals from Jacquelyn Gauthier to defeat Hawaii 16-10 in an MPSF Semifinal matchup at the Mona Plummer Aquatics Center on the campus of Arizona State University. With the win and UCLA's dramatic 10-9 victory over USC, the Cardinal and Bruins play tomorrow at 3:40 PM for the MPSF Conference championship. This will be the third matchup between Stanford and UCLA this season, with Stanford winning both the matches. The win moved Stanford to 25-1 on the season and 14-0 in games against MPSF competition.
In the high scoring first quarter, Hawaii and Stanford each scored four goals. Katie Hansen and Christina Hewko each scored for Stanford, and Jacquelyn Gauthier started off her huge day by scoring two goals at the end of the quarter with 17 seconds and the second with only three seconds on the clock.
The Cardinal exploded for six goals in the second quarter and pulled away from the Rainbow Wahine, who only scored one goal. Gauthier added two more goals and Katie Hansen scored two of her own. Kelly Eaton also added a goal for the Cardinal and Christina Hewko found the net as well right before halftime. With the strong second period, Stanford led the game 10-5 going into halftime.
The defense stayed stout in the third quarter as they limited the Rainbow Wahine to one goal. The Cardinal scored three goals of their own when Gauthier scored her fifth goal of the match. Katie Hansen and Kelly Eaton as well for the Cardinal who went into the final quarter leading 13-6.
In the final quarter the defense started to show holes, but the lead was significant to overcome Hawaii's four fourth quarter goals. Stanford goals in the period were scored by Kelsey Holshouser, Heather West, and Jessica Steffens. Meridith McColl finished her busy day by recording nine saves and Kate Heddleston came in for the final 4:37 and made two saves of her own.
Stanford now moves into the MPSF Championship game where they face No. 2 ranked UCLA, who has won the last two national titles. The winner of tomorrow's matchup will earn an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, which will be played in Los Alamitos, CA May 11th-13th.
Stanford Women's Water Polo Results:
April 28, 2007
MPSF Semifinal
Mona Plummer Aquatics Center
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
Stanford 16, Hawaii 10
Stanford 4-6-3-3-- 16
Hawaii 4-1-1-3-- 10
Scoring:Stanford - Gauthier (5), Hansen (4), Hewko (2), Eaton (2), West (1), Steffens (1), Holshouser (1)
Hawaii - Van Raalte (3), Turnbull (2), Logan (1), Mason (1), Cox (1), Bagnall (1)
Saves: Stanford - Meridith McColl, STAN (9 saves), Kate Heddleston (2 saves)
Hawaii- Meike De Nooy (11 saves)
Records- Stanford 25-1, 12-0 MPSF, 2-0 Postseason