Trojans, Bears Sweep Through Invitationals

2/11/2013 12:00:00 AM

Feb. 11, 2013

USC (4-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) combined to outscore the UC San Diego Invitational field 60-15, as it opened the season with four wins and the title. The Trojans topped CSU East Bay (26-4), CS Northridge (9-2), San Diego State (12-3), and Arizona State (13-6) in the finals, and are now headed to the Cal Baptist tournament this weekend (Feb. 15-16). Monica Vavic totaled 14 goals at UCSD (3.50 GPG). Flora Bolonyai allowed just 12 goals in 14 quarters of cage time (3.43 GAA).

CALIFORNIA (9-1 Overall/0-0 MPSF) swept through the Princeton Invitational this past weekend, defeating the host Tigers (7-5), Harvard (14-5), George Washington (21-6), and Villanova (22-1). Emily Csikos combined for 10 goals, putting her season total to 20 (2.00 GPG), along with Tiera Schroeder. The Bears are off until the Feb. 23-24 UC Irvine Tournament.

ARIZONA STATE (9-1 Overall/0-0 MPSF) placed second at the UC San Diego Invitational, recording wins over Marist (15-4), the host Tritons (10-4), and UC Irvine (7-6) in sudden-victory overtime. Freshman goalkeeper E.B. Keeve accumulated 53 tournament saves (13.25 SPG), including 18 against the No. 6 Anteaters, third-most in single-game Sun Devil history. Shannon Haas totaled 10 weekend goals, including the game-winner to beat UCI. ASU is off this week.

CSU BAKERSFIELD (3-8 Overall/0-0 MPSF) split its four games at the UC San Diego Invitational, defeating Sonoma State, 12-11, and CSU East Bay, 10-8. The Roadrunners play a doubleheader Saturday (Feb. 16) at UC Davis, facing the Aggies and Cal Lutheran. Jessica Browning leads the team with 11 goals (1.38 GPG).

STANFORD (9-0 Overall/0-0 MPSF) Maggie Steffens and Melissa Seidemann each poured in hat tricks to lead the Cardinal in a 15-4 outcome at UC Davis this past Saturday. Kaley Dodson, Kiley Neushul and Anna Yelizarova each added a pair of goals to help stay unbeaten. Stanford next competes Feb. 23-24 at the UC Irvine Tournament.

UCLA (12-1 Overall/0-0 MPSF) routed Cal Lutheran this past Saturday, 18-3, in the home opener in Westwood. Gisselle Naranjo, Emily Donohoe, Danielle Ferraro, and freshman Alys Williams, each posted a hat trick. UCLA hosts UC Irvine Friday (Feb. 15).

SAN JOSE STATE (6-3 Overall/0-0 MPSF) played a Canadian touring team Friday in an exhibition contest, a 13-6 Spartan outcome. Freshman Rae Lekness delivered a game-high four goals, all prior to the half, while Kelli Leabo added three. San Jose State is next in action at the UC Irvine Tournament, Feb. 23-24.

MONICA VAVIC KAP 7 MPSF PLAYER OF THE WEEK

USC sophomore Monica Vavic (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Palos Verdes HS) accumulated 14 goals, including a 4-goal outburst in the tournament championship win over No. 5 ASU, at the UCSD Invitational. Vavic had eight goals on day one to get USC into the semifinals, adding another two there before punching in four in the title game. Vavic also delivered a team-high eight assists in the tourney to help lead USC to an undefeated 4-0 start to its season. Also Nominated: Emily Csikos (CAL); Shannon Haas (ASU)...

E.B. KEEVE KAP 7 MPSF NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK

Arizona State freshman goalkeeper E.B. Keeve (Naperville, IL/ Waubonsie Valley HS) led a 3-1 record and runner-up finish at the UCSD Invitational. She tallied 53 saves in four games (13.25 SPG), while giving up just 27 goals (.663 save percentage). Keeve logged double-digit saves in each game, highlighted by the third-best performance in Sun Devil history, 18 in the sudden-victory over No. 6 UC-Irvine. This is Keeve's second newcomer award, also earning it after her collegiate debut, Jan. 28. Also Nominated: Sierra Smiley (CAL)...