STANFORD, Calif. - No. 1 Stanford suffered its first loss of the season, falling 8-7 in sudden-death overtime to No. 4 California in the Big Splash on Sunday evening at Avery Aquatic Center.
Stanford (11-1, 0-1 MPSF) had won 14 games in a row dating back to last year, with its last loss coming in the form of a 6-3 setback to UCLA in the MPSF Tournament final.
California (13-3, 1-0 MPSF) snapped a four-game losing streak in the series, collecting its first win over Stanford since a 5-2 triumph back on Feb. 7, 2016 in the championship game of the Stanford Invitational.
Sunday's contest featured six ties and the Golden Bears took their only lead of the game when Kitty Lynn Joustra emerged from a scrum to skip home the game-winning goal with 51 seconds left in the first period of sudden-death overtime.
The Cardinal received three goals from Madison Berggren, her third putting Stanford ahead 7-6 heading into the second overtime period. Kat Klass scored twice while Shannon Cleary and Aria Fischer also found the cage.
Stanford built a 2-0 lead – the largest advantage in the game by either team – following first-period goals from Berggren and Klass.
After California scored back-to-back goals to open the second period, Berggren scored her second of the night before Emma Wright knotted it up at 3-3 before halftime.
The Cardinal regained a 5-4 edge through three periods, thanks to goals from Klass and Cleary.
Joustra accounted for the only scoring in the fourth period, equalizing with 30 seconds left to force overtime.
Stanford seized a 7-6 lead after the first overtime period, only to have Anna Illes tie the game at 7-7 after scoring her second goal.
Joustra's game winner came with 51 seconds remaining and was her fourth goal of the match.
Julia Hermann made six saves in goal while California's Madison Tagg finished with 16.
Stanford is idle until March 26 against UC Irvine. The road swing concludes two days later at UC Santa Barbara.
No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 4 California
March 4, 2018 • Stanford, Calif.
CAL 0 – 3 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 = 8
STAN 2 – 1 – 2 – 0 – 2 – 0 – 0 = 7
California Goals: Kitty Lynn Joustra 4, Anna Illes 2, Carla Carrega, Emma Wright
California Saves: Madison Tagg 16
Stanford Goals: Madison Berggren 3, Kat Klass 2, Shannon Cleary, Aria Fischer
Stanford Saves: Julia Hermann 6