April 22, 2005
Saturday, at Spieker Aquatics Complex in Berkeley, No. 3 Stanford (16-5, 8-3) will play No. 7-ranked Cal (14-8, 5-5) in the 10th Big Splash of women's water polo. The last time Cal and Stanford met was at last year's Big Splash on April 9th 2004, where the Cardinal defeated the Bears 9-5 at Avery Aquatic Center.
Cal has held a No. 7 or No. 8 ranking for the majority of the season, and with their depth, will be a formidable opponent for the Cardinal. "Cal is definitely talented and deep. They use 12 or more players every game and try to wear teams down," commented Head Coach John Tanner, who has coached Stanford squads to wins in 4 of the last 5 Big Splashes. Stanford holds a 22-8 all-time record against the Bears since 1998, and the last time Cal defeated Stanford in a Big Splash was at Stanford on March 26, 2000.
Stanford's Christina Hewko, who scored three goals in Stanford's game against UCLA and UC Davis, as well as Katie Hansen, who scored four goals against UC Davis, will help lead the offensive line for the Cardinal. Goalie Meridith McColl, and 2-meter defenders Laurel Champion and Hannah Luber will uphold the defensive effort for Stanford.
The Bears have taken their last two opponents into overtime, winning 10-9 over Santa Barbara, and defeating San Jose State 9-8. They are also formidable opponents at home, holding a 4-1 record in matches played at Spieker Aquatics Complex.
"We are looking forward to the challenge they present. And because of water polo's significance in the Stanford-Cal athletic rivalry, we feel honored to be playing in a Big Splash," added Tanner. Water polo is one of the sports included in the Lexus Gauntlet Trophy, an accolade that is awarded by Lexus to the school with the greatest number of wins in all varsity sports.
Stanford will go on to play in the MPSF Championships next weekend, also held in Berkeley.