Oct. 21, 2012

Game Notes

No. 14 Stanford Cardinal (11-6, 5-0 NorPac)
vs.
California Golden Bears (5-10, 1-3 NorPac)

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 23
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Stanford, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks (PBP: Leah Secondo, Analyst: Kara Lentz)

The Opening Draw
No. 14 Stanford (11-6, 5-0 NorPac) concludes its regular season in a rare Tuesday game, hosting rival California (5-10, 1-3 NorPac) in a 7 p.m. contest at the Varsity Turf. Thanks to a pair of convincing victories over the weekend, the Cardinal locked up its fourth consecutive NorPac West Division regular-season championship. After its matchup against California, Stanford will be idle for eight days before the NorPac Tournament gets underway next week. Tuesday's game will also feature a pregame Senior Night tribute, honoring Becky Dru, Emily Henriksson, Kelsey Lloyd, Katie Mitchell, Colleen Ryan and Alysha Sekhon.

Proceed With Caution
In recent seasons, the Stanford-California matchup has represented a competitive battle of top-25 programs. While the Golden Bears have struggled and enter Tuesday night five games under .500, the Cardinal can certainly expect an inspired effort from its biggest rival.

Pac-12 Networks Coverage
Stanford will be making its fourth appearance on the Pac-12 Networks. Other televised games this year included: Aug. 26 vs. Maryland, Sept. 7 vs. Iowa and Sept. 28 at California.

The NorPac's Premier Program
Stanford has continued its dominance as the NorPac's top program, securing the West Division regular season title for a fourth straight season. The Cardinal has also won 10 of the last 14 meetings in the series. Not bad, considering the Golden Bears entered the 2007 NorPac Tournament title game having won 18 straight in the series dating back to 2001. The last six NorPac Championship title games have resulted in a Stanford-Cal match, with the Cardinal taking four of those contests.

Senior Night On The Farm
Stanford honors its six-member senior class prior to the game: Becky Dru, Emily Henriksson, Kelsey Lloyd, Katie Mitchell, Colleen Ryan and Alysha Sekhon. The four-year stretch for these seniors ranks as the best in school history. Consider all this class has accomplished:
60-21 overall record
21-2 NorPac record
26-5 record in home games
6-3 record against California
3 NCAA Tournament appearances
4 NorPac regular season titles (3 outright)
2 NorPac Tournament crowns
Established school record with 17 victories in 2009, then equaled that mark in 2011
Ranked high as No. 6 in national rankings in 2011, equaling school's previous best (1987)
Nine-game winning streak in 2011 matched program's previous best (1985)
Started the 2009 season with an 8-0 mark, representing best start in school history
Nationally-ranked in top-25 poll for 39 of a possible 42 weeks
12 wins against nation's top-25 and 3 wins against the country's top-10
Faced off against nation's No. 1-ranked team five times (including three this year)

Becky Dru's Final Home Game
Tuesday will mark the final home game for senior Becky Dru, arguably the greatest player in school history.
2011 NFHCA First Team All-American, one of only 14 All-Americans in school history
two-time NFHCA All-West Region honoree
two-time NorPac Defensive Player of the Year (2010, 2011)
2011 NorPac Player of the Year
2009 NorPac Rookie of the Year
three-time NorPac All-Tournament Team pick
2011 NFHCA All-Academic selection
in 81 career games and 80 career starts, has totaled 51 goals, 32 assists, 134 points, 290 shots and 14 game-winning goals