BERKELEY, Calif. – Serena Browne and Jenna Flynn scored four goals apiece to help power No. 2 Stanford past No. 5 California 12-8 on Friday night in the latest edition of the Big Splash.
Stanford (19-1, 5-1 MPSF) remains in play for the top seed in next weekend’s MPSF Championship, awaiting the outcome of Saturday’s UCLA/USC matchup.
The Cardinal has now won 21 of the last 26 matchups in the rivalry series over the last 11 seasons.
Fresh off a career-high six-goal performance last weekend against Indiana, Flynn pressured the California defense all game with 12 shot attempts. Flynn, who leads the Cardinal with 52 goals, achieved her 10th hat trick of the season in the third period.
Browne’s career-high performance also came in clutch for Stanford, which overcame a scoreless second period. The Cardinal led 4-2 after the first eight minutes before the Golden Bears surge ahead with a 5-4 lead at intermission.
Stanford exploded for five goals in the third period, thanks to Browne’s offense turning the game around. After tying the game 5-5 at the 7:37 mark, Browne found the cage again 70 seconds later to give the Cardinal a 6-5 advantage.
After Flynn completed her hat trick midway through the third period, Juliette Dhalluin and Ryann Neushul tacked on scores to give the Cardinal some breathing room.
Browne then added back-to-back goals to open the fourth period, officially putting the game on ice.
Christine Carpenter finished with 11 saves.
Stanford Goals: Serena Browne (4), Jenna Flynn (4), Ryann Neushul (2), Juliette Dhalluin (1), Jewel Roemer (1).
Clutch Play In Big Splash
No. 2 Stanford's second half keys 12-8 win