Three MPSF Teams 2-0 at LouStrong
Jan. 17, 2017 MPSF Women's Water Polo Release 1
STANFORD (0-0 MPSF, 2-0 Overall) recorded a pair of convincing wins to kick-off its season at the LouStrong Invitational, hosted by San Jose State (Jan. 14) at West Valley College. The Cardinal defeated the Spartans, 17-1, and UC Davis, 21-2. Two-time Olympic MVP Maggie Steffens returned to action, scoring a hat trick in the opener vs. SJSU. Madison Berggren had a career-high four goals against the Aggies, completing a six-goal opening day, while Kat Klass added a hat trick in that win. Gabby Stone made her return in the cage, collecting seven saves vs. SJSU, while Julia Hermann stopped nine UCD shots. Up next for Stanford is a home game against Long Beach State on Jan. 29.
CALIFORNIA (0-0 MPSF, 2-0 Overall) won twice this past Sunday to kick-off its season at the LouStrong Memorial, defeating the host Spartans, 12-3, and Pacific, 15-7 (Jan. 15). Rachel Lewin accumulated a team-high five goals over the two wins, including four against the Tigers. Dora Antal and Roser Tarrago combined for four goals each in returning from their Olympic redshirts. Madison Tagg totaled 15 saves in 1.5 games of cage time, including 11 vs. Pacific. The Bears next compete in their home opener against CSUN on Jan. 27, before hosting the Speedo Mini Tournament (Jan. 28).
UCLA (0-0 MPSF, 2-0 Overall) won both its games at the LouStrong Invitational, defeating host San Jose State, 20-1, and UC Davis, 15-1 (Jan. 14-15). Maddie Musselman delivered an MPSF opening-weekend high of five goals in her collegiate debut vs. the Spartans, while Rachel Fattal added four in her return from an Olympic redshirt year. Kodi Hill followed with a hat trick. Alexa Tielmann and Devin Grab each netted three goals in a 15-1 second day win over UC Davis, while Carlee Kapana collected an MPSF opening-weekend high 14 saves. The Bruins face Pacific, Indiana, Michigan, and UC San Diego at the UCSB Invitational (Jan. 21-22).
SAN JOSE STATE (0-0 MPSF, 1-3 Overall) earned a 10-9 win over UC Davis to close the LouStrong Memorial, in which it hosted at West Valley College. Carla Toha Vilanova, the MPSF's top freshman scorer last year, nailed her first three goals this year in the win. Katelynn Thompson collected 10 saves in the 12-3 loss to California. The Spartans are next in action at California's Speedo Tournament (Jan, 28), facing Long Beach State and CSUN.
USC (0-0 MPSF, 0-0 Overall) comes off a national championship and unbeaten season, competing in the UCSB Invitational to open 2017. The Trojans face Michigan, Cal Baptist, CSUN, Hawaii, and UCSB (Jan. 20-22).
CSU BAKERSFIELD (0-0 MPSF, 0-0 Overall) opens its season at the UCSB Invitational this weekend, taking on Indiana, Cal Baptist, Michigan, and Marist (Jan. 20-21).
ARIZONA STATE (0-0 MPSF, 0-0 Overall) hosts San Diego State (Jan. 28), Wagner (Jan. 29), and UCSB (Jan. 29) to kick-off the season in its own ASU Tournament. The Sun Devils are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016.