Nov. 6, 2002
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Ahead for the Cardinal...
No. 2t Stanford (18-3, 5-2 MPSF) is hosting No. 4 USC on Saturday in a league game at 1 p.m. at the Avery Aquatic Center. The game will close out the regular conference season against for Stanford. The Cardinal faced USC in the semifinals of the NorCal Tournament but the Trojans took the 8-6 decision in Berkeley in October. Both teams will head to the MPSF Championships in Los Alamitos, Calif. on Nov. 29th - Dec. 1st.
Instant Splash...
The fourth head coach in Stanford men's water polo history, John Vargas, made his collegiate debut with a 21-5 win over UC Santa Cruz and has compiled a 18-3 record so far in his first season. Stanford now owns a 5-2 MPSF record after despite a 9-8 loss to then-No. 3 California last Saturday.
The Statistical File...
Stanford is currently claiming victories over its opponents by an average margin of 5.71 goals per game. At halftime, the Cardinal carries an average lead of 3.71 goals into the break after jumping out to an average first quarter lead of 1.76 goals. Stanford keeps the scoring balanced across its roster with each active offensive player scoring during the season. On Saturday, as the Cardinal was edged by the Golden Bears 9-8, five different Stanford players scored one or more goals marking the 17th time this season that at least five Stanford players have notched one goal. Meanwhile, sophomore Tony Azevedo is climbing the all-time charts in school history quickly - with less than two seasons under his belt, he ranks 13th in career scoring with 139 goals. Senior Peter Hudnut trails at t-17th with 120 career goals and senior keeper Nick Ellis holds the third spot for all-time saves with 663 in his career.
Leading the Pack...
Nine Cardinal players now have over 10 goals this season. Leading the team is Tony Azevedo who collected four goals in against Cal to bring his season total to 71. For his eight-goal showing this weekend, Azevedo earned Mikasa MPSF Player of the Week and Cardinal of the Week honors. Azevedo is atop the conference in scoring holding a 3.55 goals per game average. As a freshman, Azevedo notched 68 goals in his 23 games. Right behind him are junior Mike Derse and senior Peter Hudnut. Derse, who began the season with nine career goals, has posted 34 in 2002. Derse has been a consistent scorer for the Cardinal, tallying at least one goal in 15 games and chalking up three or more goals in eight of those matches. Derse opened the season with a four-goal showing against UC Santa Cruz on Sept. 8th. Derse scored two pivotal goals in overtime on Oct. 26th as Stanford took the 12-10 ot win at UCLA. Hudnut has collected 30 goals in his 19 games, including an impressive offensive display as he put up a five-goal performance in his season debut against UC San Diego on Sept. 13th. He has scored at least one goal in 15 of his 20 games, including a three-goal effort on Oct. 25th as the Cardinal edged UC Irvine 9-8. Also in the double-digit ranks is freshman Thomas Hopkins who has 21 in his rookie campaign while seniors Jeff Nesmith and Jeff Guyman each have posted 20 so far. Sophomore Greg Crum has collected 17, sophomore Reed Gallogly has contributed 12 and sophomore Matt Moser owns 10.
Minding the Net...
On the opposite side of the pool, senior Nick Ellis is a force to be reckoned with in the Cardinal goal. The three-time All-American keeper has posted 122 saves good for a 6.1 saves per game average. He has allowed only 115 goals this season, earning him a 5.8 goals against average - second in the MPSF. After Stanford claimed the SoCal Tournament title earlier this season, Ellis was named MPSF Mikasa Player of the Week. Backing him up is redshirt freshman Chad Taylor who has made six appearances (including one start) and compiled 13 saves.
