MPSF Semifinal Match-Ups Penciled In

4/18/2011 12:00:00 AM

April 18, 2011

#7 STANFORD (5-0 MPSF, 13-1 Overall) claimed the battle of MPSF unbeatens this past Friday, taking an 18-13 outcome at Oregon. Up 7-5 at the half, the Cardinal ran off five straight in the opening seven-plus minutes of the second. Leslie Foard registered six points on five goals and one assist, and caused four turnovers. Karen Nesbitt added four goals and Sarah Flynn tallied a hat trick. Stanford has thus clinched the MPSF Tournament No. 1 seed, vs. No. 4 California in one semifinal on Apr. 29, following the regular season finales at UC Davis and Northwestern.

OREGON (4-1 MPSF, 7-7 Overall) had five players nail hat tricks in Sunday's 19-7 home win over UC Davis that punched a ticket into the MPSF Semifinals. The Ducks scored eight unanswered in the first half in taking a 10-1 lead. Jana and Jess Drummond, Alex Breiner, Ashley Inman, and Bina Barrett all put away three goals. Barrett also dished a trio of assists. Oregon travels to Denver Saturday (Apr. 23), prior to meeting again in the MPSF Semifinals on Apr. 29. Saturday's winner receives the two seed in the tournament and the loser the three.

DENVER (4-1 MPSF, 6-10 Overall) held off California at home this past Saturday, 13-10, as Laura Ciccomascolo came off the bench to equal a game-high five points, scoring four and dishing one. Kara Secora added a hat trick along with an assist. Kate Henrich caused six turnovers and picked up three groundballs. The Pioneers host Oregon Saturday (Apr. 23), before the conference semifinal meeting on the 29th in Moraga.

CALIFORNIA (3-3 MPSF, 9-7 Overall) concluded the regular season with a 13-10 loss at Denver this past Saturday, but solidified a berth into the MPSF Semifinals as the No. 4 seed. Megan Takacs shared a game-high five points on three goals and two assists. Alexa Rozelle added three points on two goals and one assist. The Bears are off until they face No. 1 seed Stanford for tournament semifinal action in Moraga on Apr. 29 at 1 pm.

UC DAVIS (2-3 MPSF, 10-4 Overall) Gina Hoffmire accumulated three goals and one assist in the 19-7 loss at Oregon Sunday. Hannah Mirza added a pair of goals and goalkeeper Jordan Majka picked up 10 saves. The Aggies host No. 7 Stanford Wednesday (Apr. 20) to wrap up the season.

ST. MARY'S (1-5 MPSF, 2-11 Overall) fell 23-2 at No. 3 Duke on Sunday, as Krista Morgan and Jillian Chong struck for the Gaels. Kathleen Worsdale collected 14 saves in goal. SMC, who serves as this year's host of the MPSF Tournament (Apr. 29 & May 1), concludes the season at Brown Tuesday (Apr. 19) and Marist Wednesday (Apr. 20).

FRESNO STATE (0-6 MPSF, 0-12 Overall) dropped home games to California (2-15) and Denver (7-18) in MPSF play, on Apr. 10 and 11, respectively. Freshman Kara Concheck recorded three goals against the Pioneers. The Bulldogs wrap up the season on Wednesday (Apr. 20) at Howard and Saturday (Apr. 23) at Duquesne.

KARA SECORA MPSF PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Denver sophomore Kara Secora (Denver, CO/Kent Denver HS) recorded 14 points off six goals and eight assists in a pair of victories that put Denver in a tie for second place in the MPSF. Less than 24 hours after tallying 11 points on April 10, Secora tied DU's single-game record with seven assists and added a hat trick for 10 points, as the Pioneers beat Fresno State on the road last Monday. Secora followed it up with a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, and an assist in a victory over Cal. Also Nominated: Alex Breiner (UO)