Feb. 22, 2008

UC Irvine Tournament Central

STANFORD, Calif. - For the second time in the past three weekends, the No. 2 Stanford women's water polo team will enter tournament play against a field of the nation's best teams. The Cardinal (6-1) open up play in the Irvine Tournament Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Anteater Pool against No. 16 UC San Diego.

Stanford, coming off of victories last weekend over Pacific and No. 11 UC Davis, will take part in Bracket B action at the tournament, along with UC San Diego, No. 7 San Jose State, and host No. 10 UC Irvine. With a victory over the Tritons Saturday morning, the Cardinal would advance to face the San Jose State-UC Irvine victor in a winner's bracket contest at 2 p.m. at Anteater Pool. Should the Cardinal fall Saturday morning, it will face the loser of the aforementioned Spartans-Anteaters contest in the loser's bracket at 3:15 p.m.

Driver Lauren Silver is currently tied for second in the MPSF with her 2.71 goals per game mark, while on the other side of the pool, freshman Amber Oland paces the conference with 9.83 saves, and is tied for second among full-time goalkeepers with a 4.50 goals-against average. As a team, Stanford is the stingiest defense, leading the MPSF with just 4.86 goals allowed per game.

Kelly Eaton (16 goals) and Jacquelyn Gauthier (12 goals) round out the Cardinal players with double-digit goal totals, while 12 different Stanford athletes have tallied goals this season.

Should Stanford be victorious in both contests Saturday, it will advance to Sunday's semifinal round.