Oct. 31, 2006

Stanford, Ca - The fourth-ranked Stanford men's water polo team faces its stiffest challenge of the 2006 season when the Cardinal hosts the top-ranked, unbeaten and defending NCAA champion USC Trojans in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Avery Aquatic Center.

A capacity crowd of nearly 3,000 fans is expected to attend the game, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to get a good seat.

USC has won 37 straight games over the past two seasons, including an 18-0 record this year. On Friday, the Trojans travel to UC Santa Cruz. Juan Delgadillo leads the Trojan attack with 36 goals, fifth-best in the MPSF. Thomas Hale has tallied 33 goals, second-best on the USC team and eighth-best in the conference. Another top USC scorer is J.W. Krumpholz who has scored 31 times this year, third-best on the Trojans and ninth-best in the MPSF. As a team, USC is averaged 13.11 goals per game, second-best in the MPSF.

Adam Shilling is USC's starting goalie and has tallied 80 saves in 16 games, third-best in the MPSF.

In chalking up an 18-0 record, the USC Trojans have literally crushed their opponents. In the last ten games, the Trojans have outscored their opponents, 136-66.

Stanford is riding the crest of a six-game winning streak which brings Stanford's season record to 13-5. Seven Cardinal players have scored ten or more goals this year led by Tyler Drake (28 goals), Will Hindle-Katel (27), Drac Wigo (26) and Janson Wigo (25). Drake is 12th in the MPSF in scoring.

Jimmie Sandman and Sandy Hohener have shared the goal tending duties for Stanford this year. Sandman is third in the MPSF in saves at 9.13 per game. Hohener is sixth at 8.55 per game.

This will be the first meeting between Stanford and USC this year. Last year, the Trojans won all five meetings against the Cardinal, including a 3-2 decision in the NCAA title game.

On Sunday at Noon, Stanford travels to No. 13 UC Davis.