STANFORD, Calif. – Chloe Harbilas scored three goals to help Stanford rally from a five-goal deficit, but the Cardinal fell short against UCLA, losing 11-10 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation women's water polo action Sunday at Avery Aquatic Center.
Hannah Shaab forced a turnover with 45 seconds left to give Stanford a chance to tie the game. Stanford pulled its goalie for a 7-on-6 advantage and got off two shots, by Sophie Wallace and Hannah Constandse, but both were saved by UCLA goalie Jahmea Bent. The second save left the ball bobbing on the goal line for a moment before the Bruins were able to clear.
No. 3 Stanford (6-2 overall, 4-2 MPSF) had its six-game winning streak snapped and finished the two-game weekend series with the No. 2 Bruins (5-1, 3-1), with a split and even on aggregate goals at 22-22.
Stanford fell behind 9-4 with 6:13 left in the third quarter, but scored five unanswered goals to tie the score, 9-9, on a goal by Wallace with 6:43 left in the fourth. UCLA countered by scoring twice to grab an 11-9 lead.
Shaab rebounded Jewel Roemer's saved shot and tossed it in from close range with 1:06 left to draw the Cardinal within 11-10, but Stanford could get no closer.
Stanford goalie Emalia Eichelberger made 11 saves, including a penalty shot, to keep the Cardinal close.
Stanford next takes on No. 1 USC in a pair in Los Angeles on Saturday and Sunday.
* * *
UCLA 11, Stanford 10
UCLA 4 4 1 2 – 11
Stanford 3 1 4 2 -- 10
UCLA goals: Malia Allen 3, Hannah Palmer 2, Ava Johnson 2, Bella Wentzel, Anneliese Miller, Katrina Drake, Lexi Liebowitz.
Stanford goals: Chloe Harbilas 3, Hannah Shabb 2, Lexi Rowell, Hannah Constandse, Sarah Klass, Sophie Wallace, Jewel Roemer.
Saves: Jahmea Bent (UCLA) 12; Emalia Eichelberger (Stanford) 11.
