Feb. 9, 2008
Stanford Invitational Tournament Page
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 3 Stanford women's water polo team split its first two contests in the Stanford Invitational Saturday at Avery Stadium. Things opened up on a winning note, as the Cardinal cruised to a 14-4 victory over No. 11 Arizona State, but Stanford ended the day with a tough 5-4 loss to No. 2 USC late in the afternoon.
Kelly Eaton continued her fine start to the season, leading the Cardinal with six goals on the day, while Jacquelyn Gauthier posted a hat trick. Heather West also added a goal in each game. Freshman Amber Oland allowed only eight goals on the day while stopping 16 shots.
The Cardinal jumped all over the Sun Devils in the tournament opener Saturday morning, going up 4-1 after the first period and 8-1 by halftime. Eaton's four goals, along with Gauthier's hat trick, propelled Stanford to the victory, as did the combined effort of freshman goalkeepers Oland (seven saves) and Kim Hall (two saves).
Kira Hillman and Kelsey Holshouser each netted a pair of goals, while Emily Clopp, Megan May, and West added goals.
The afternoon session would bring with it a different story, as the Cardinal prepared for what was sure to be a hotly-contested battle against the second-ranked Women of Troy. The contest lived up to its billing, as each team held the other scoreless through the opening period. But USC used three second-period goals to pull ahead 3-1 at the break.
Stanford's defense re-asserted itself in the second half, limiting USC to just a pair of goals, but the offense was unable to find the back of the cage until the fourth period.
Two Cardinal goals cut the deficit to 5-4 with 38 seconds remaining, setting the stage for the exciting finish. The Stanford defense answered the call, stopping USC's possession, allowing the Cardinal to call timeout and set up one final chance with three seconds left.
Yet the comeback hopes went unfulfilled, as Lauren Silver, who already scored once in the contest, caught the bar with her final shot just before time expired.
Eaton scored twice, while West added a goal against the Women of Troy.
The Cardinal, now 2-1 on the year, will continue tournament play Sunday, battling the California Golden Bears in the Avery Pool at 8 a.m. in its final round-robin contest. Championship round play is set to begin at 12:45 p.m.
Game 1
Arizona State - 1 0 1 2 = 4
Stanford - 4 4 4 2 = 14
Stanford Goal Scorers: Eaton 4, Gauthier 3, Hillman 2, Holshouser 2, Clopp, May, West
Arizona State Goal Scorers: Phelps 2, Lawlor, McGrath
Goalie Saves: Oland 7, Hall 2 (S); Wallace 7 (ASU)
Game 2
USC - 0 3 1 1 = 5
Stanford - 0 1 0 3 = 4
Stanford Goal Scorers: Eaton 2, Silver, West
USC Goal Scorers: Bartunkova, Anae, Lucas, Stein
Goalie Saves: Oland 9 (S); Morgan 8 (USC)