Cardinal Drops Big Splash

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1 California outscored No. 4 Stanford 7-2 in the second quarter, creating some separation between the two teams, en route to earning an 18-12 victory in the annual Big Splash from Avery Aquatic Center.

With the win, California improved to 19-1 overall, including 3-0 in the MPSF. The setback dropped Stanford to 20-4 on the season with an 0-3 mark in MPSF play.
 
Following the match, the Cardinal recognized its five-player senior class as part of Senior Day.

No. 4 Stanford 12 - No. 1 California 18

The Cardinal got on the board first on a goal from Grant Watson, but California rattled off three unanswered to take a 3-1 lead with 3:31 left in the first quarter. Leading 3-2 with eight seconds left in the opening stanza, California earned an exclusion and a penalty, but missed the five-meter shot, giving Stanford a chance to draw even in the final seconds. Senior Quinn Woodhead took the chance for Stanford, but his skip shot hit off the post and trickled away.
 
Taking a shot on Stanford's first possession in the second quarter, Watson evened the tally at 3-3 with his second goal of the afternoon. The Golden Bears would score the next two, and close the half on a 5-0 run, to take a 10-4 advantage into the break.
 
Stanford's offense got going in the third quarter, putting seven goals on the board, but California kept pace with six of its own to maintain a comfortable 16-11 cushion headed into the final quarter. Jackson Painter provided the bulk of the offense for the Cardinal in the third, finding the cage three times.
 
The productive third quarter gave way to a defensive final eight minutes as the two teams combined for just three goals. Stanford's lone tally in the quarter came from Riley Pittman with 2:50 left on the clock – his third goal of the match.
 
Stanford will now prepare for next week's MPSF Tournament in Los Angeles. The Cardinal is set to meet Augustana on Friday at 11:15 a.m. in the opening round.
 
No. 1 California vs. No. 4 Stanford
Nov. 12, 2022 • Stanford, Calif.
CAL 3 – 7 – 6 – 2 = 18
STAN 2 – 2 – 7 – 1 = 12
 
California Goals: Nikolas Papanikolaou (4), Max Casabella (3), Jack Deely (3), Jake Howerton (2), Nik Mirkovic (2), Roberto Valera (2), Garrett Dunn (1), Albert Ponferrada (1)
 
Stanford Goals: Jackson Painter (3), Riley Pittman (3), Walker Seymour (2), Grant Watson (2), Soren Jensen (1), Beck Jurasius (1)

Saves: Adrian Weinberg (6), Nolan Krutonog (6)