April 23, 2008
2008 MPSF Tournament
Friday, April 25 - 12:40 p.m.
- vs. -
No. 7 California (16-9)/ No. 10 Long Beach State (15-15)
Saturday, April 26 - TBA
- vs. -
TBD
Saturday, April 27 - TBA
- vs. -
TBD
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 2 Stanford women's water polo team (23-3, 11-1 MPSF) will travel down to San Diego this weekend for the 2008 MPSF Tournament. Stanford's 11-1 mark in MPSF play earned it the No. 2 seed in the tournament, as well as a bye into Friday's second round. The Cardinal will take to the pool for Friday's 12:40 p.m. contest, facing off against the winner of Thursday's battle between No. 7 California (16-9, 6-6 MPSF) and No. 10 Long Beach State (15-15, 4-8 MPSF). Game times and opponents for Saturday and Sunday's contests are yet to be determined.
Another Title Game Appearance In The Cards?
Stanford has an undeniable history of success at the MPSF Tournament, appearing in every title game over the last 11 years. The Cardinal captured tournament titles in 2000, `01, `03, and `06, and have not finished any lower than second since the 1998 season.
Cardinal Notes
The Cardinal are paced offensively by its three 40-goal scorers in driver Lauren Silver (58 goals - 2.23 per game), driver Kelly Eaton (43 goals - 1.65 per game), and driver/2M/2MD Jackie Gauthier (40 goals - 1.54 per game). All three players rank in the MPSF Top 25 in goals average, with Silver sitting fourth in the conference, Eaton 18th, and Gauthier 25th. On the defensive side of things, freshman goalkeeper Amber Oland has been strong in the cage all year for Stanford, ranking third among all MPSF goalkeepers that have appeared in at least 20 games with a 5.04 goals-against average, and ninth with 8.14 saves per game. As a team, the Cardinal is second in the MPSF with 298 goals (11.46 per game), and third with only 152 goals allowed (5.85 per game).
Head Coach John Tanner
Head coach John Tanner entered his 11th year at the helm of the Cardinal program in 2008. Tanner has accumulated a record of 267-46 (.853) on The Farm over that time. He has led Stanford to every NCAA Championship tournament since its inception in 2001, and has won a national title (2002) as well as turning in four national runner-up finishes (2001, `03, `05, `07).
Looking Ahead
With a strong performance at the MPSF Tournament this weekend, as well as its national No. 2 ranking, Stanford has a very convincing case for its eighth NCAA Championship appearance in eight years. Should the Cardinal earn a berth in the eight-team field, it will battle for its second national title from May 9-11 in the familiar setting of Avery Aquatic Center in Stanford.