Rivals Clash in Big Week in the MPSF
April 7, 2009
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STANFORD (5-0 MPSF, 21-1 overall) erased a two-goal deficit entering the second quarter in taking a 9-8 win over No. 3 UCLA at home Friday. In a battle of MPSF unbeatens, the win improved Stanford to 5-0 in the conference with two games remaining. Kira Hillman tallied twice against the Bruins, including the eventual game-winner with 55 seconds left in regulation. Lauren Silver and Melissa Seidemann also chipped in a pair of goals. In a first-place tie with USC, the Cardinal visits rival California Saturday (Apr. 11).
CALIFORNIA (3-3 MPSF, 28-5 overall) got past No. 8 Arizona State at home this past Saturday, 11-9, to even up its conference record. A 4-2 second quarter was the difference. Camille Hewko led the way with four goals, while Emily Csikos added a hat trick. Goalkeeper Stephanie Peckham registered 11 saves. The Bears host No. 1 Stanford Saturday (Apr. 11) in the annual Big Splash. Regardless of the outcome, Cal is the No. 4 seed at the MPSF Tournament, as it owns a possible three-way tiebreaker over San Jose State and Hawaii on goal differential.
USC (5-0 MPSF, 18-1 overall) picked up a 14-9 road win over No. 10 Loyola Marymount in non-conference action last Thursday. Tied at 6 at the half, the Trojans used an 8-3 second-half to put it away. Rosanna Tomiuk scored a career-high four goals. Joelle Bekhazi and Michelle Stein each added a hat trick. In a battle at the top, the LA rivalry is renewed Saturday (Apr. 11) as USC visits UCLA. The Trojans won the non-conference game on Feb. 22 in Irvine, 8-7.
UCLA (5-1 MPSF, 20-4 overall) received two goals apiece from Priscilla Orozco, Tanya Gandy, and Anne Belden in the 9-8 loss at No. 1 Stanford Friday. Just one-half game out of first-place, the Bruins host rival USC Saturday (Apr. 12) in another major MPSF showdown. UCLA can still be seeded anywhere from one to three in Hawaii.
HAWAII (3-4 MPSF, 16-7 overall) rounded out its regular season with an 11-9 home victory over No. 7 San Diego State in MPSF action. The Wahine came back from 4-1 down after the first period. Leonie Van Der Molen had a game-high five goals. Serena Bredin picked up nine saves. Hawaii will be the No. 6 seed as it hosts this year's MPSF Tournament, Apr. 24-26.
SAN JOSE STATE (3-4 MPSF, 18-12 overall) won three of four this past weekend at the Santa Clara Tournament, defeating No. 18 UC San Diego (17-11), CS San Bernardino (20-5), and No. 10 Loyola Marymount (7-4), and losing to No. 16 CS Bakersfield (12-11). SJSU used a 4-0 fourth quarter to top the Lions. Juliet Moss had seven goals Sunday, four vs. CSUB and three vs. LMU, while Meagan Minson totaled 13 saves in the win. The regular season finale is Apr. 18 at UC Davis, before the Spartans will be a No. 5 seed at the MPSF Tournament, owning the tiebreak over Hawaii.
ARIZONA STATE (0-6 MPSF, 13-11 overall) was edged 11-9 at No. 5 California last Saturday. Addison McGrath, Bonnie Miles, and Kelly Phelps scored two goals apiece. The Sun Devils conclude the MPSF regular season at San Diego State Saturday (Apr. 11), with the winner receiving the No. 7 seed at the conference tournament.
SAN DIEGO STATE (0-6 MPSF, 20-8 overall) lost 11-9 at No. 4 Hawaii last Friday. Erinn Greenwood scored four goals and Jenna Schuster added three. Kelly Campoli collected 11 saves in the cage. The Aztecs host Michigan Friday (Apr. 10) and Arizona State Saturday (Apr. 11) in the final MPSF game.
HEWKO AND HILLMAN MPSF MIKASA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Woodland, Calif. -California junior utility Camille Hewko (Newport Beach, CA/Corona Del Mar HS) scored four goals in an MPSF win over No. 8 Arizona State. She tallied late in each half to put the Bears up by two each time, 6-4 at the break followed by an 11-9 final.
Woodland, Calif. -Stanford senior driver Kira Hillman (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS) came up big in a key conference home game against previously MPSF unbeaten UCLA. She scored twice, including the eventual game-winner with 55 seconds left in regulation to keep the Cardinal at the top of the standings.