Cal Wins MPSF Opener; USC Defends UCSD Title
Feb. 14, 2017 MPSF Women's Water Polo Release 5
CALIFORNIA (1-0 MPSF, 9-1 Overall) freshman Emma Wright put away a career-high seven goals in a 16-5 MPSF-opening win at CSU Bakersfield this past Saturday (Feb. 11). The output was the second-most in the conference this year, and tied for the most on record in an MPSF game since 2001. Madison Tagg had eight saves in the cage, turning away two penalty shots along the way. The Bears host Santa Clara Saturday (Feb. 18) in their only game this week.
USC (0-0 MPSF, 14-0 Overall) won its 41st-consecutive game with four more results this past weekend in defending the UC San Diego Invitational title, defeating Santa Clara 18-2, San Diego State 17-4, Michigan 9-5, and Arizona State in the finals, 12-2. Victoria Chamorro allowed just two goals in the title game while collecting 12 saves in the cage (.857), while compiling 19 saves and allowing just four goals in two outings. Stephania Haralabidis completed a 10-goal weekend with a hat trick in the championship. The Trojans are next in action at the UC Irvine Invitational (Feb. 24-26).
ARIZONA STATE (0-0 MPSF, 6-1 Overall) finished second at the UC San Diego Invitational (Feb. 11-12), posting wins over Sonoma State, 18-3, UC Davis 19-9, and UC Irvine, 9-8, en route to the title game. Maud Koopman had a five-goal game vs. Sonoma State, while Alkistis Benekou added four. Mia Rycraw recorded the top-two single-game save efforts in the MPSF this year, collecting 16 in the semifinals vs. UC Irvine and 15 in game two vs. UC Davis. The Sun Devils are next in action at the UCI Invitational (Feb. 24-26).
CSU BAKERSFIELD (0-1 MPSF, 2-5 Overall) fell 16-5 to California in its MPSF opener at home (Feb. 11). Courtney Wahlstrom became the 21st MPSF goalkeeper all-time to reach 700 career saves with 11 in the game. She now has 703 for her career, third most in school history. Kristen Jensen leads CSUB with nine goals, raising her career total to 143, ranking ninth in school history. Nicola Barrett's two goals against California raised her career total to 140, tied for 10th all-time at CSUB. The Roadrunners take on Sonoma State, Pacific, Occidental, and UC Davis this weekend in the UC Davis Shootout (Feb. 18-19).
STANFORD (0-0 MPSF, 7-0 Overall) takes on Santa Clara in Berkeley on Saturday (Feb. 18). Last in action, the Cardinal won their own invitational to stay unbeaten (Feb. 4-5), defeating Loyola Marymount 19-8, Hawaii 12-5, UC Irvine 11-4, and California in the first-place game, 10-7. Jamie Neushul, who ranks eighth in the MPSF in scoring with 2.29 goals per game, tallied three of her eight weekend goals against Cal. Makenzie Fischer also delivered an eight-goal tournament, including a career-high four against LMU.
UCLA (0-0 MPSF, 7-0 Overall) plays its home opener Friday (Feb. 17) against UC Irvine. The Bruins cruised to a 13-2 win at Long Beach State last in action (Feb. 3). Rachel Fattal netted four goals, while Kodi Hill, Mackenzie Barr, and Alexis Angermund each scored twice in a game featuring no ties and no lead changes. Fattal (2.57 GPG) and Maddie Musselman (2.71 GPG) each rank in the MPSF's top-five in scoring. Carlee Kapana has an MPSF second-best 3.04 goals-against average.
SAN JOSE STATE (0-0 MPSF, 3-7 Overall) competes Sunday (Feb. 19) at the UC Davis Shootout vs. Pacific and Occidental. The Spartans picked up one win at the Stanford Invitational, edging UC Davis 11-10 (Feb. 4), as Donia Momen recorded a hat trick. Sheila Jensen accumulated five goals on the first day, two in the win and three in the loss to California. Carla Toha Vilanova put away five of the Spartans' nine goals in the fifth-place game vs. Michigan, while Klaudia Paradi added a hat trick. Toha Vilanova ranks in the MPSF's top-10 in scoring with 18 goals (2.00 GPG).