March 1, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. - No. 2 Stanford women's water polo returns to Avery Aquatic Center this weekend, hosting No. 19 Long Beach State Saturday and No. 8 UC Irvine Sunday. Both games are set for 1 p.m. starts.

Following Saturday's contest, the team will host "Give It A Shot" in which students, staff and fans will have the opportunity to jump in the pool and shoot five-meter penalty shots. With the weather forecast showing a 70-degree afternoon with sunshine, it will be the perfect opportunity for fans to experience the fun and challenge of water polo.

Stanford (11-1) will aim to bounce back this weekend after suffering its first setback of the 2012 season at the UCI Invitational last Sunday. The Cardinal fell 5-4 to UCLA in the UCI Invitational title game in Irvine, snapping a season-opening 11-game winning streak.

Two-time MPSF Newcomer of the Week Kiley Neushul leads the Cardinal with 27 goals heading into Saturday, including 12 scored at last weekend's tournament. Fellow rookie Ashley Grossman is next with 21 goals, while the Lo sisters, Alyssa and Kaitlyn, are next with 16 and 15 goals, respectively.

Goalie Kate Baldoni (10.55 saves per game, 4.85 GAA) anchors a Cardinal defense that allows just 4.83 goals per game.

Long Beach State (3-7) snapped a four-game losing streak this past Sunday, capturing an 8-7 decision over UC San Diego in the 15th-place game of the UCI Invitational.

Offensively, Long Beach State is led by Melissa Matheson and Coriann Snyder, who have each scored 16 goals this season.Chelsea Parks is third on the team with 10 goals.

In the cage, goalie Kelly Ringel averages 9.00 saves per game.

UC Irvine (12-3) enters the weekend on a three-game winning streak, and has won five of its past six. The Anteaters open their trip to Northern California Saturday at California before coming to Avery to face the Cardinal.