April 15, 2009
STANFORD, Calif. - Top-ranked Stanford (22-1, 6-0 MPSF) heads into its regular-season finale this weekend, traveling to Los Angeles to face the No. 2 USC Women of Troy (19-1, 6-0 MPSF) with the MPSF regular-season title and the top seed at next weekend's conference tournament at stake. Saturday's contest is set for a 4:30 p.m. start at USC, and will be the rubber match of the regular-season series between the two schools.
About The Opposition
USC (19-1, 6-0 MPSF) enters Saturday's finale on a nine-game winning streak and with a matching 6-0 mark in MPSF play. Stanford and USC's only blemishes this season came in losses to one another, with the Women of Troy capturing the first contest, 12-10 in overtime at the Stanford Invitational on Feb. 7, then the Cardinal returning the favor with a 12-11 sudden-death victory in the Irvine Invitational title game on Feb. 22.
The Women of Troy, coached by Jovan Vavic in his 15th season at the helm, are led offensive by the play of Michelle Stein (56 goals) and reigning MPSF Mikasa Co-Player of the Week Kami Craig (32 goals). In the cage, freshman Ilse van der Meijden allows just 5.3 goals per game while stopping 9.5 shots per game.
In The National Rankings
The Cardinal kept the top spot in the national rankings for yet another week in the April 15 edition of the CWPA Division I Poll following its 9-8 victory over No. 5 California.
Last Time Out
Stanford ran its season-best winning streak to 19 games last Saturday thanks to yet another 9-8 comeback victory, this time coming in the Big Splash against No. 5 California. The victory also kept Stanford perfect in MPSF play at 6-0.
California started fast, building a 3-0 lead after the opening period before Stanford could get things going. Kira Hillman and Lauren Silver netted the first two Cardinal goals, then the teams traded goals until Stanford managed to equalize at 5-5 just before halftime.
In the third period, Stanford scored four more times, including a five-meter penalty from Silver, who would earn MPSF Mikasa Co-Player of the Week honors, that completed her hat trick and proved to be the eventual game-winner.
Silver Named MPSF Mikasa Co-Player Of The Week
Senior driver Lauren Silver became the third Stanford player this season, and the second in the last two weeks, to be named MPSF Mikasa Player of the Week when the conference honored her on Monday. Silver, who shared the honor with USC's Kami Craig, posted her fifth hat trick of the season in last Saturday's 9-8 win at California, and scored the goal that would serve as the eventual game-winner late in the third period.
Going For The First Leg Of The MPSF Crown
This Saturday's contest between Stanford and USC will determine both the MPSF regular-season champion as well as the top seed at next weekend's MPSF Tournament in Hawai'i. Stanford will be going for its second MPSF regular-season title in the last three years, as it went a perfect 12-0 in MPSF play in 2007.
Seniors Carry The Day Once Again
Stanford's veteran presence has stepped up over the last few weeks to keep the Cardinal on the path to an undefeated MPSF season, as this past Saturday seniors Kira Hillman and Lauren Silver each posted hat tricks in Stanford's 9-8 victory at California. It marked the second game in a row that the two seniors had led the squad in scoring, as well as pacing a comeback effort to earn a hard-fought win. Two weeks ago, the duo combined for four goals in another come-from-behind 9-8 victory over UCLA at Avery Aquatic Center.
Back And Forth With USC
Saturday's game against USC will be the third meeting of the season between the two schools, with each team claiming a victory so far. Last year, the teams met five times, with the Women of Troy capturing three of those meetings. In fact, USC is the only school that Stanford has a sub-.500 all-time record against, being 15-20 in games against the Women of Troy since John Tanner became head coach in 1998.
Seeing Double?
Saturday's victory over California was Stanford's second come-from-behind win in a row, and it was a 9-8 victory for the second consecutive game. In each case, the Cardinal went scoreless in the first period to fall behind (2-0 against UCLA, 3-0 against California), then started its rally in the second period. Two weekends ago it was Kira Hillman providing the final score in the comeback win, and this past weekend it was Lauren Silver doing the honors against California.
Looking Ahead To Hawai'i
Stanford's trip to Hawai'i for the MPSF Tournament next weekend will see them enter the draw as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, depending on this Saturday's outcome against USC. Should Stanford beat USC and earn the top seed, it will face No. 8 Arizona State next Friday at 6 p.m. HT, and if it loses and gets the No. 2 seed, it will face No. 7 San Diego State Friday at 3 p.m. HT.