UCLA
Stanford (Semifinal)
Bruins Fall to Cardinal in MPSF Semis
April 30, 2016 | Women's Water Polo
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – For the second time in a week, the second-ranked UCLA women's water polo team squared off with third-ranked Stanford. Last time out, the Bruins edged the Cardinal, 9-8, in sudden-victory overtime. Stanford evened the series at 1-1 on Saturday afternoon, handing UCLA a 6-3 loss in the MPSF Semifinals.
Less than a minute into the game, UCLA (23-4, 5-1 MPSF) struck first as Aubrie Monahan dished it to Alexa Tielmann, who banked it off the post and in. Stanford then responded with back-to-back goals to take its first lead of the game. Jordan Raney scored the equalizer with 3:38 left in the period, then Jamie Neushul converted a power play to give the Cardinal a 2-1 advantage. With less than a minute left, Monahan forced a turnover to gain possession for the Bruins. She then netted one from outside to even the score at 2-2.
The Cardinal regained the lead early in the second when Dani Jackovich lobbed one just out of reach for UCLA keeper Alex Musselman. With just over a minute left in the half, Alexis Angermund put an end to the Bruins' seven and a half minute scoring drought when she backhanded it in off a pass from Kelsey O'Brien to knot the score at 3-3. As time was about to expire, Stanford made a fast break for the cage. With two seconds on the clock, Kat Klass netted one off an assist from Neushul. At the half, the Cardinal led the Bruins, 4-3.
In the second half, UCLA was unable to overcome Stanford's zone defense and Julia Hermann in the cage. The Cardinal held the Bruins scoreless, while netting two of its own. After a six-minute defensive battle in the third, Neushul notched what would be the lone goal of the quarter to extend Stanford's lead to two. Jackovich recorded the only goal in the fourth, finding the back of the net off an assist from Raney. As time expired, Stanford held on for the 6-3 win to advance to Sunday's championship match.
Next up, the Bruins face either top-ranked USC or sixth-ranked Cal in a bout for third place. The tilt takes place at 12:45 pm PDT at CSU Bakersfield's Hillman Aquatic Center. Live streaming is available here.
No. 3 Stanford (2, 2, 1, 1 – 6)Jackovich, Neushul – 2; Raney, Klass – 1
No. 2 UCLA (2, 1, 0, 0 – 3)
Angermund, Tielmann, Monahan – 1
Saves: Stanford (Hermann – 14); UCLA (Musselman – 4)
