Jan. 30, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. - Top-ranked Stanford women's water polo claimed its first honor of the 2012 season, as freshman driver Kiley Neushul was named the KAP 7 MPSF Newcomer of the Week Monday.

Neushul posted a pair of hat tricks with three goals in each of Stanford's victories at the California Speedo Invitational Saturday. The Cardinal opened defense of its 2011 national title with wins of 17-2 and 19-7 over No. 11 Loyola Marymount and No. 15 UC Davis, respectively.

The Goleta, Calif. native shared the team lead in goals scored over the weekend with fellow freshman Ashley Grossman. Grossman, a two-meter, also scored six times on the weekend and was among those nominated for the MPSF's Player of the Week honor which was won by Arizona State's Alicia Brightwell.

Stanford outscored LMU and UC Davis 36-9 Saturday, and puts its 2-0 record on the line at home this weekend for the Stanford Invitational at Avery Aquatic Center. The Cardinal opens the tournament, which runs Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4-5, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday against UC Davis.

The Cardinal will take on USC at 4 p.m. Saturday then complete group play against San Jose State at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. The placement game Sunday afternoon will be determined by the team's finish in group play.