Feb. 20, 2003

Stanford, Calif. -

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Ahead for the Cardinal...
The top-ranked Stanford Cardinal (5-0) will host the U.S. National Team this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Avery Aquatic Center. The Cardinal will welcome back three members of the 2002 NCAA Championship squad as Margie Dingeldein, Ellen Estes and Kate Pettit return as part of the U.S. team. Jackie Frank and Brenda Villa are members of both teams but will be with Stanford for the first-ever matchup between a college team and the National Team during the regular season. The game will feature seven Olympians, six on the U.S. team (Estes, Heather Moody, Bernice Orwig, Nicolle Payne, Heather Petri and Coralie Simmons) and one from the Stanford squad (Villa).

Previously on The Farm...
The Cardinal had a two week break after posting four wins and claiming the title at the 3rd annual Stanford Invitational on Feb. 8th and 9th. Stanford defeated San Jose State (8-3), California (7-4) and Indiana (15-3) to advance to the championship match against UCLA. In their first meeting since the 2002 NCAA Championship game, the Cardinal took a 4-3 decision over the Bruins to improve to 5-0 on the season and earn the Invitational title.

Captains' Corner...
Seniors Julie Gardner and Nicole Huszcz are leading the Cardinal this year as co-captains. In their final campaign on The Farm, both will look to make their last season their best season. The tandem has combined for seven of the team's 47 goals as the Cardinal earned its first five wins. Gardner opened the season with a two goal showing against UC Davis on Feb. 2nd before posting one goal against California and one against UCLA during the Stanford Invitational. Huszcz has netted one goal against UC Davis, San Jose State and Indiana.

National Team File...
Frank and Villa, Stanford's other two players in their final collegiate campaign, spent their off-season with the National Team and helped the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2002 FINA Cup in Perth Australia this past December. Frank led all keepers in goals allowed average and saves while Villa led the tournament in scoring with nine goals. The duo matches up against their U.S. teammates this Saturday when Stanford plays the National Team on Feb. 22nd at 5:30 p.m. at the Avery Aquatic Center.

Statistical File...
Thirteen different members of the Stanford squad have notched at least one goal in the first five games of the 2003 season. The team has out-scored opponents by an average of 6.6 goals per game. The Cardinal has limited opponents to 14 goals this season (2.8 gpg) with the tough defense by both the field players and the goalkeepers. Frank and freshman Amanda Matuk have combined for 9.8 saves per game in the net. On the offensive side, Villa leads the team with 9 goals this season while sophomore Hannah Luber follows with six and junior Wendy Watkins trails with five.