Sept. 16, 2007
STANFORD, Calif. - The fourth-ranked Stanford men's water polo team dropped a pair of games Sunday afternoon and ended the weekend with a fourth-place finish at the NorCal Open in Berkeley. The Cardinal (3-2) opened up the day with a 9-5 semifinal loss to No. 1 USC before falling 13-9 to UCLA in the third-place game.
In morning action, the Trojans were able to get off to a fast start against the Cardinal, showing why they're the top-ranked team in the nation by jumping out to a 7-2 halftime lead. The Cardinal trimmed things to 8-4 after three periods, but both defenses got stingy, allowing only one goal apiece in the fourth.
Sage Wright led the Cardinal with two goals in the contest, while J.W. Krumpholz, with two goals, was the only Trojan to score more than once.
Later Sunday, the Cardinal hung with the third-ranked Bruins for much of the contest, trailing just 9-7 after three periods of play. But UCLA's offense managed to outscore the Cardinal 4-2 in the final period, holding on to capture third place.
Andrew Drake led the Cardinal with a hat trick against the Bruins, while Ryan Fortune and Will Hindle-Katel each netted a pair of goals. Sandy Hohener made a combined 15 saves over the two contests, turning in a strong showing in goal.
Krsto Sbutega led UCLA with four goals in the win, while Russell Simpkins also netted a hat trick, scoring three times.
The Cardinal will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 22, as they host the Pacific Tigers at 12 p.m. at Avery Stadium.
Stanford 1 1 2 1 = 5
USC 4 3 1 1 = 9
Stanford Goal Scorers: Sage Wright 2, Bury, Pulido, Smith
USC Goal Scorers: Krumpholz 2, Artukovich, Borisoff, Buckner, Corcoran, Ligtenberg, Sarusi, Vyn
Goalie Saves: Hohener 9 (S); Shilling 6 (USC)
Stanford 2 2 3 2 = 9
UCLA 4 3 2 4 = 13
Stanford Goal Scorers: Drake 3, Fortune 2, Hindle-Katel 2, D. Wigo, J. Wigo
UCLA Goal Scorers: Sbutega 4, Simpkins 3, Jacobs 2, Jemmett 2, Jorth, Santos
Goalie Saves: Hohener 6 (S); Lapin 9 (UCLA)