BERKELEY, Calif. – Madison Stamen fired in the rebound after Sarah Klass's shot was blocked to tie the score and ignite a seven-goal run that propelled Stanford to a 13-8 women's water polo victory over Cal on Saturday.
Stamen's goal tied the game at 6-6 with 1:05 left in the third period. By the time Cal scored again, 7:25 had elapsed between Golden Bear goals and Stanford held a commanding 12-7 lead with 2:31 left in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation contest at the Spieker Aquatics Complex.
No. 2 Stanford (7-4 overall, 5-4 MPSF) emerged with its seventh consecutive victory over No. 4 Cal (9-5, 4-5) and snapped a three-game losing streak overall. Chloe Harbilas and Hannah Constandse tied for game-high scoring honors with three goals apiece, and Cardinal teammate Emalia Eichelberger had 13 saves.
A rout would have been unthinkable when the teams were trading goals through three quarters. There were four ties and three lead changes, the last when Jewel Roemer put the Cardinal ahead for good on a penalty shot with 26 seconds left in the third period after she drew the foul.
Entering the fourth period clinging to a 7-6 lead, Stanford came out smoking, scoring five goals in the first 3:22 to grab a 12-6 lead. Constandse scored twice in 32 seconds, the first on a power play and the next at even strength.
With two goals, Klass has 30 this season, followed by Harbilas with 27.
Stanford and Cal meet again Sunday, also in Berkeley, at 1 p.m. The Cardinal closes the regular season with a pair against visiting San Jose State on April 24-25.
* * *
Stanford 13, Cal 8
Stanford 2 2 3 6 -- 13
Cal 2 1 3 2 -- 8
STAN Goals: Chloe Harbilas 3, Hannah Constandse 3, Sarah Klass 2, Jewel Roemer 2, Hannah Shabb, Madison Stamen, Sophie Wallace
CAL Goals: Brigit Mulder 2, Maryn Dempsey 2, Cecily Turner, Elli Protopapas, Kitty Lynn Joustra, Mallory Reynoso.
Saves: Emalia Eichelberger (STAN) 13, Cassidy Ball (CAL) 9.