May 9, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Cardinal: Seeded second heading into the NCAA tournament with a 22-4 record, Stanford has lost to only two teams this season, top-seeded USC and third-seeded UCLA. After a heartbreaking 9-8 overtime loss to the Bruins just two weeks before the MPSF tournament, the Cardinal defeated UCLA in the semifinals of the tournament, 5-4. Stanford has yet to defeat the USC Women of Troy this season after three close losses earlier in the year.
The Tournament: Played in an eight-team format for the second year, the NCAA tournament is single-elimination with a bracket format to determine 1st through 8th places. Eight of the top collegiate women's water polo teams, representing NCAA Division I, II, and III, will be playing May 12-14. Five of the teams, including Stanford, earned automatic berths by conference victories while three were selected at-large. UC Davis is hosting the National Championship tournament for the first time.
MPSF Honors: Stanford claimed the MPSF conference title this season after defeating No. 5 Hawaii, 6-3, in the finals of the tournament. Five Stanford players were honored with All-MPSF recognition. Freshman Lauren Silver was named MPSF Newcomer of the Year, as well as making the MPSF All-Freshman Team and receiving All-Conference Honorable Mention. Junior driver Katie Hansen and junior goalkeeper Meredith McColl were named to the All-MPSF First-Team, while junior two-meter player Christina Hewko was named to the Second-Team. Senior driver Scotti Shafer rounded out the group of Cardinal honorees with All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Stanford Scorers: Silver has led the team in scoring all year and stands now with 47 goals in her 26 games played so far this season. She scored a season-high four goals against No. 7 UC Irvine in Stanford's first match of the MPSF tournament. Following closely behind is Hansen with 45 goals this year. Hansen was last year's lead scorer totaling 43 goals.
Defensive Anchor: Stanford's starting goalie, Meridith McColl, has a total of 207 saves and has allowed only 109 goals so far in her 26 games as goalie. McColl, on top of being named to the All-MPSF First-Team, was nominated as a Peter J. Cutino award finalist. She and two other athletes were nominated as finalists for the award that honors the most outstanding female water polo player for 2006. The winner will be announced June 3rd.
Stanford at the NCAA's: Last season, Stanford took second to UCLA after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in the championship finals of the NCAA Tournament. Stanford defeated USC in the semifinals, 5-4, to advance to championship game. The Cardinal has made the Final Four ever year since 1997 and has placed in the top three since John Tanner became Head Coach in 1998. The Cardinal won the National Championship in 2002, and placed second in 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2005.
Tanner's Team: John Tanner is in his ninth year as head coach for the Cardinal. He led the team to a 195-35 overall record in his first eight years at the helm of the women's water polo team, adding a 22-4 record so far this season. Tanner has produced one National Championship, 12 U.S. National Team members, and four Olympians in the last five years. His squad competed in the NCAA Championship game in each of the first three years of the NCAA tournament.