Senior Sendoff Success

STANFORD, Calif. – Jenna Flynn’s hat trick combined with a second-half lockdown defensive effort proved to be the winning combination in No. 2 Stanford’s 8-7 win over No. 4 California on Saturday afternoon at Avery Aquatic Center.

Stanford (11-1, 5-1 MPSF) ripped off four straight goals after falling behind 5-2 and led the rest of the way. Flynn completed her hat trick with 4:59 left in the final period before Christine Carpenter made a series of clutch stops to preserve win.

Stanford has dominated the rivalry series, winning 23 of the last 28 matchups against California over the last 12 seasons. The Cardinal also defeated the Golden Bears 14-7 in the semifinals of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Feb. 14 in Irvine.

The outcome was especially memorable for Maggie Hawkins and Jackie King, who were honored in a postgame Senior Day ceremony. The senior tandem has led Stanford to records of 79-10 (overall) and 19-5 (MPSF) while capturing NCAA and MPSF championships in 2023 and 2025. Hawkins and King also guided the Cardinal to a 21-1 record in games played at Avery Aquatic Center.

California (13-5, 3-3 MPSF) looked sharp early, building a 3-2 lead through the first quarter and moving in front 5-2 with 2:35 left to play before halftime.

Claire Minton and Juliette Dhalluin kept the Cardinal within striking distance in the first period while Flynn scored the first of her three goals 30 seconds before intermission.

After scored from Ella Woodhead and Minton to open the third quarter, Stanford seized the lead for good at the 1:03 mark when Amber Nowaczek fed Serena Browne for a go-ahead score and a 6-5 lead.

The Golden Bears knotted it up a 6-6 but Flynn scored twice in a 40-second span midway through the fourth period to convert her ninth hat trick of the season.

Stout defensive play from Lucy Haaland-Ford and Christine Carpenter in the final three minutes turned back multiple Cal scoring threats.

Carpenter finished with six saves, the biggest coming on a breakaway from Maria Bogachenko with under two minutes.

Stanford now turns its attention to the MPSF Championship on April 10-12 in Berkeley, Calif. The Cardinal will be the No. 2 seed and face San Jose State on Friday at 11 a.m. in the opening round.

Stanford Goals: Jenna Flynn (3), Claire Minton (2), Serena Browne (1), Juliette Dhalluin (1), Ella Woodhead (1).