April 29, 2007
No. 1 Stanford lost only its second game of the season Sunday when No. 2 UCLA defeated the Cardinal 9-3 in the Championship game at the Mona Plummer Aquatics Center on the campus of Arizona State University. UCLA now earns the automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, which begins May 11th in Los Alamitos, California. Stanford now owns a 25-2 record, while UCLA improved to the same 25-2 record.
UCLA came out strong in the first half and took a commanding 5-1 lead going into the break. UCLA held the Cardinal scoreless in the first quarter and only Katie Hansen was able to score a late second quarter goal to avoid going through the first half scoreless. UCLA was led by Kelly Rulon, who scored three goals in the first quarter. UCLA then got goals from Katie Rulon and Courtney Mathewson in the second quarter and led 5-1 at halftime.
Stanford was unable to figure out Emily Feher in the second half either as the senior goalie stopped eight Cardinal shots in the match. Katie Hansen scored her second goal of the match and Kira Hillman also found the net, but it wasn't enough as UCLA went on to win the match by a score of 9-3. Kelly Rulon scored her fourth goal of the match in the second half and was the leading scorer in the contest.
Stanford now waits for the selection show to see if they have earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will take place on April 30th at 6:00 PM and will air on CSTV.
Stanford Women's Water Polo Results:
April 29, 2007
MPSF Championship
Mona Plummer Aquatics Center
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
UCLA 9, Stanford 3
Stanford 0-1-2-0-- 3
UCLA- 3-2-3-1-- 9
Scoring: Stanford - Hansen (2), Hillman (1)
UCLA- Ke. Rulon (4), Mathewson (2), Ka. Rulon (1), Cahill (1), Gandy (1)
Saves: Stanford - Meridith McColl, STAN (4 saves)
UCLA- Emily Feher (9 saves)
Records- Stanford 25-2, 12-0 MPSF, 2-1 Postseason