May 10, 1998

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - For the second consecutive year, the Stanford women's water polo team improved upon its finish at the Collegiate National Championships, placing third with a decisive 10-4 victory over Hawaii today at USC.

The Cardinal (29-6), which finished fifth in '96 and fourth last seasom, jumped on top early, building a 4-0 lead over the Rainbow Wahine by the end of the first quarter. Stanford opened up a 6-1 lead by the half and never looked back.

Seven different players scored for the Cardinal, led by local products Suze Gardner (Atherton, CA/Menlo School), Lindsay Welch (Menlo Park, CA/Menlo School) and Ellen Estes (Novato, CA/Novato HS) with two goals each. Junior goalkeeper Heather Crary (Redwood City, CA/Menlo School), who recorded six saves in the victory, also scored her first goal of the season.

Gardner and Estes were selected to the all-tournament team while Crary received honorable mention honors.

UCLA defeated California 7-3 to win its third consecutive national title.

Results:

            1   2   3   4   T
Hawaii     0   1   0   3   4
Stanford    4   2   1   3   10

Individual Scoring:
Hawaii: Wasik, Parreira, Wong, Miller
Stanford: Estes 2, Welch 2, Gardner 2, Crary, Koblik, Keszler, Glazer

Saves: Crary (Stanford) 6, Fraser (Hawaii) 7

1998 WOMEN'S WATER POLO NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

First Team
Marie-Luc Arpin (Hawaii)
Robin Beauregard (UCLA)

Heather Crary (Stanford)
Jennifer Durley (USC)
Amanda Gall (UCLA)
Katie Grogan (Massachussetts)
Debra Simone (Indiana)
Katie Vitali (Maryland)