Jan. 30, 2012
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CALIFORNIA (8-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) swept through its second straight tournament to begin the season, as it hosted the Cal Speedo Invitational this past weekend. The Bears blasted the field, 64-19, taking out Pomona (21-4), Cal Baptist (14-6), Loyola Marymount (8-6), and CS Monterey Bay (21-3). Breda Vosters tallied four goals in the win over LMU. Jennifer Docto poured in five vs. Pomona. Cal opens the MPSF Schedule Thursday (Feb. 2) vs. Hawaii.
STANFORD (2-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) easily took both Saturday games at the Cal Invitational, 17-2 over Loyola Marymount and 19-7 over UC Davis. The defending NCAA Champions were paced by a pair of freshmen in the openers, as Kiley Neushul and Ashley Grossman each combined for six goals. Kaitlyn Lo totaled five. Hosting the Stanford Invitational this weekend, the Cardinal takes on UC Davis, USC, San Jose State, and one other opponent.
ARIZONA STATE (5-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) won all five games at the UCSB Invitational to begin its season, knocking off the host Gauchos (12-7), Santa Clara (17-2), UC Irvine (9-8), CSU Bakersfield (15-5), and Concordia (16-7). The 5-0 Sun Devil start is their best since the '09 season, when opening 6-0. Alicia Brightwell combined for 16 goals in the five wins (3.20 GPG). ASU plays three games at the Cal Baptist Tournament Saturday.
SAN JOSE STATE (5-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) got past UC Davis (10-9) and Cal Baptist (12-6) at the Cal Speedo Invitational last Saturday. Anna Natalizio posted a hat trick vs. the Aggies, as did Timi Molnar and Allie Stewart against the Lancers. San Jose State faces USC, UC Davis, Stanford, and a fourth opponent at the Stanford Invitational Saturday and Sunday.
SAN DIEGO STATE (3-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) swept through the Maryland Invitational, outscoring the field 36-12, defeating Marist (15-1), Wagner (13-7), and the host Terrapins (8-4). Meaghan Poland put away four first-half goals vs. Maryland, as the Aztecs never trailed. Poland totaled 14 goals (two game-winners), six steals, and five drawn ejections in the tournament. San Diego State visits Long Beach State Saturday in its lone game this week.
UCLA (3-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) takes on Hawaii and California at the Stanford Invitational Saturday, followed by Michigan and a TBA opponent Sunday. Two weekends ago (Jan. 21-22), the Bruins downed Colorado State (9-5), Indiana (10-5), and host Michigan (10-8) to begin the season at the Michigan Invitational. KK Clark poured in 10 goals in the tournament en route to MPSF Player of the Week honors.
USC (0-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) begins its season at the Stanford Invitational, taking on San Jose State and defending national champion Stanford on the first day. All-MPSF selections Patricia Jancso and Nadia Dan return from last year's third place and 19-win team, as do goalkeeper Flora Bolonyai., Dominique Sardo, Maddy Rosenthal, and Kaleigh Gilchrist.
HAWAII (0-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) opens the Maureen Cole Flanigan era at second-ranked California Thursday (Feb. 2), also an MPSF contest, before competing in the Stanford Invite, Feb. 4-5. The Rainbow Wahine take on UCLA, Michigan, Cal, and one other opponent in Palo Alto. Amarens Genee, Monique Wilson, Danielle Lewis, and Sivan Pardon return from last year's third place and 18-win team.
ALICIA BRIGHTWELL KAP 7 MPSF PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Arizona State senior Alicia Brightwell (Sydney, Australia/Univ. of Sydney) scored 16 goals (3.20 GPG) in her first NCAA DI weekend, while helping the Sun Devils post their best start (5-0) since '09. She scored a hat trick vs. No. 7 UC Irvine and four goals vs. No. 17 UCSB.
Also Nominated: Elizabeth McLaren (CAL); Ashley Grossman (STAN); Meaghan Poland (SDSU)
KILEY NEUSHUL KAP 7 MPSF NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK
Stanford freshman Kiley Neushul (Goleta, CA/Dos Pueblos HS) scored six goals over the season-opening sweep of No. 11 Loyola Marymount and No. 15 UC Davis Saturday in Berkeley. The rookie driver posted a pair of hat tricks on the day.
Also Nominated: Anna Kertes (ASU); Anique Hermann (SDSU)