Denver Locks Up Top Seed in MPSF Tournament
April 19, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
DENVER (5-0 MPSF, 11-4 overall) defeated Fresno State at home on Saturday 18-2, and clinched the MPSF Tournament No. 1 seed when it hosts the event Apr. 29-May 2. Lexi Sanders recorded game-highs of three goals and three assists to lead the Pioneers to a 5-0 conference mark. Ali Flury and Kara Secora added two goals and two assists apiece, while the former also caused five turnovers. Denver attempts a perfect MPSF regular season Saturday (Apr. 24) at Oregon in the final game before the postseason.
#15 STANFORD (4-1 MPSF, 10-5 overall) did not trail all weekend and had just one tie in a pair of MPSF home wins, 18-7 over Oregon Friday and 21-5 over St. Mary's Sunday. Stanford converted 18 of its 26 shots against the Ducks, as Dana Lindsay scored all five of her goals in the first half and Lauren Schmidt dished three of her game-high four assists in the opening frame. Schmidt came back with a hat trick and two assists vs. the Gaels, while Sarah Flynn put away a game-high four goals. The Cardinal hosts UC Davis Sunday with a win meaning a No. 2 seed.
OREGON (3-2 MPSF, 7-9 overall) raced out to a 9-3 halftime lead at UC Davis Sunday en route to a key 14-6 win, taking over sole possession of third-place. Alex Breiner and Jana Drummond registered four goals apiece. Kelly Jabonski delivered three points on a pair of goals and one assist. The Ducks wrap up the 2010 schedule at home Saturday (Apr. 24) against regular season champion Denver, with a win solidifying the No. 3 seed.
CALIFORNIA (1-3 MPSF, 5-9 overall) had a season-high five goals from Alyse Kennedy in a 17-8 win at Vermont Sunday. Nine players tallied for the Bears for a total of 17 goals, a team-high in 2010. Allie Shropshire collected 10 saves in goal. Cal closes the regular season with a pair of MPSF games this week, at St. Mary's Friday (Apr. 23) and returning home for Fresno State Sunday (Apr. 25). The Bears are in the running for a No. 3 tournament seed.
UC DAVIS (2-2 MPSF, 9-4 overall) held off St. Mary's last Thursday in Moraga, 14-13, in a non-conference game. The Aggies got off to a quick 4-0 lead in the first four minutes of action. Senior Molly Lapolla scored five goals, all in the first half, while junior Gina Hoffmire put away four. Hoffmire added her third straight hat trick in the 14-6 home loss to Oregon Sunday. The Aggies conclude the conference schedule at Fresno State Friday and Stanford Sunday.
ST. MARY'S (1-4 MPSF, 4-10 overall) received hat tricks from freshman Mariah Walk and seniors Abbie Coleman and Amy Daniels in the near upset at home against UC Davis. Coleman added a game-high two assists. Sunday, Stanford defeated St. Mary's 21-5 with Juliet Munroe scoring twice. The Gaels host California Friday (Apr. 23) and can earn the No. 5 tournament seed with a win.
FRESNO STATE (0-4 MPSF, 0-11 overall) dropped an 18-2 MPSF contest at Denver last Saturday. The Bulldogs have two games remaining, both in the conference, prior to the MPSF Tournament. UC Davis visits on Friday (Apr. 23), before Fresno State concludes the regular season at California Saturday (Apr. 24).
ALYSE KENNEDY MPSF PLAYER OF THE WEEK
California senior midfielder Alyse Kennedy (Scituate, MA/Phillips Academy) scored a game and season-high five goals in a 17-8 road win at Vermont, the most goals for any Bear since she put away six in a 2009 contest. Kennedy also scored once in the loss at Albany. She added a pair of draw controls along with one ground ball in each game.
Also Nominated: Lexi Sanders (DEN)