Stanford Visits UCLA in a Battle Up Top
April 7, 2014
MPSF Women's Water Polo Release 13
STANFORD (17-1 Overall, 3-0 MPSF) outscored Arizona State 9-0 over the final three quarters en route to a 14-4 conference home win this past Saturday. The Cardinal defense did not allow a goal for the final 26-plus minutes of the contest. Anika Dries and Ashley Grossman put away four goals apiece, while Kiley Neushul scored a hat trick. In a battle at the top of the national rankings and the conference standings, Stanford heads to UCLA Friday (Apr. 11) at 1:30 pm on Pac-12 Networks.
UCLA (21-2 Overall, 3-0 MPSF) picked up its second straight MPSF road victory this past Saturday, 14-8 at Bakersfield, as Kelly Ronimus delivered a hat trick. Sami Hill and the Bruin defense did not allow a first-half goal. Prior to this Friday's contest, Stanford won the first meeting over UCLA in Palo Alto, 8-4, on Feb.2. However, the Bruins then handed the Cardinal their only loss of the season on Feb. 23 in Irvine, 9-6.
USC (21-1 Overall, 4-1 MPSF) Flora Bolonyai collected a season-high 13 saves, allowing just five goals, as the Trojans routed No. 6 UC Irvine at home, 16-5. She continues the lead the MPSF in goals-against average (4.72). Eike Daube scored a game-high five goals, coming in with a 1.2 average. USC hosts Loyola Marymount Thursday (Apr. 10) on Pac-12 Networks.
SAN JOSE STATE (19-10 Overall, 1-3 MPSF) defeated its highest-ranked opponent of the year, 7-5 over No. 5 Arizona State this past Sunday. Clara Espar Llaquet scored twice, giving her 90 in her freshman season, and becoming the ninth MPSF player all-time to reach that mark in a season. She is 10 goals away from being the fifth all-time in the conference to score 100 in a season. Katelynn Thompson recorded 11 saves, and did not allow a goal for a span of 23:36, beginning late first quarter.
BAKERSFIELD (12-18 Overall, 0-4 MPSF) Courtney Wahlstrom collected 14 saves in the Roadrunners' first home game of the season on April 5 against UCLA. CSUB remains home to face Stanford Saturday (Apr. 12).
ARIZONA STATE (13-8 Overall, 1-4 MPSF) Ao Gao scored three of the five Sun Devil goals Sunday at San Jose State. Also on the Northern California swing, EB Keeve recorded 13 saves at No. 1 Stanford. ASU hosts California Saturday.
CALIFORNIA (17-5 Overall, 2-2 MPSF) travels to Arizona State Saturday, coming off a bye week. The Bears pulled away from No. 7 CS Northridge on "Ashley Young" Day, March 29. Young is the lone Cal senior, and was recognized prior to her final home game. She went on for a hat trick in the 15-10 win, scoring twice in the fourth quarter, while Dora Antal and Anna Illes also put away three goals on the day. The outcome also snapped the Matadors' 11-game win streak.