USC, UCLA Sweep UCSB Invitational
Jan. 24, 2017 MPSF Women's Water Polo Release 2
USC (0-0 MPSF, 5-0 Overall) coasted through all five UCSB Invitational games to open 2017, 11-3 over Michigan, 22-1 over Cal Baptist, followed by CSUN, 16-3, Hawaii, 13-9, and UCSB, 19-5 (Jan. 20-22). Stephania Haralabidis collected 17 goals over the five wins, including tying the all-time MPSF single-game record of nine against the hosts in the finale. That output was the MPSF's highest since the 2015 conference tournament (Clara Espar Llaquet, SJSU--also with 9). USC takes a 36-game winning streak to Cal Baptist for a Saturday doubleheader vs. Concordia and Whittier.
UCLA (0-0 MPSF, 6-0 Overall) defeated Pacific 15-4, Indiana 20-5, Michigan 12-5, and UC San Diego 17-2 at the UCSB Invitational (Jan. 21-22). Maddie Musselman totaled 12 weekend goals, including five in the Bruins' final game against the Tritons. Rachel Fattal accumulated nine goals, including hat tricks against Pacific and Indiana. UCLA is off until it visits Long Beach State on Feb. 3.
CSU BAKERSFIELD (0-0 MPSF, 1-3 Overall) opened its season at the UCSB Invitational, taking on Indiana, Cal Baptist, Michigan, and Marist (Jan. 20-21). The Roadrunners came away with a 7-5 victory over Cal Baptist. Kristen Jensen scored a weekend team-high eight goals, with a hat trick coming in the 11-10 overtime loss to Marist. She also combined for nine steals and five ejections drawn. Courtney Wahlstrom totaled 39 saves in 3.5 games of cage time, with highs of 11 stops apiece against Michigan and Indiana. CSUB meets Pomona-Pitzer and UC Irvine Saturday (Jan. 28) at Cal Baptist.
STANFORD (0-0 MPSF, 2-0 Overall) comes off a bye week, and hosts Long Beach State Sunday (Jan. 29). Stanford 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 en route to MPSF Player of the Week honors. 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.
CALIFORNIA (0-0 MPSF, 2-0 Overall) comes off a bye week, and hosts CSUN Friday (Jan. 27) and the Speedo Mini Tournament (Long Beach State, UC Davis-Jan. 28). The Bears won twice to kick-off the Coralie Simmons era at the LouStrong Memorial on Jan. 15, defeating the host Spartans, 12-3, and Pacific, 15-7. Rachael 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.
SAN JOSE STATE (0-0 MPSF, 1-3 Overall) is in action at California's Speedo Tournament Saturday (Jan, 28), facing Long Beach State and CSUN. The Spartans 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.
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.