March 21, 2013

STANFORD, Calif. - After 13 days off for final exams second-ranked Stanford women's water polo returns to action with four games this weekend, beginning with Friday night's meeting with Harvard at Avery Aquatic Center.

Following Friday night's game, the Cardinal (14-1, 2-0 MPSF) travels to Tempe, Ariz. where it Sunday plays a doubleheader against No. 3 Arizona State and Colorado State at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. Stanford ends its three-game trip to Tempe Monday morning at 10 a.m. against No. 19 Hartwick.

The Cardinal has won two straight MPSF games since suffering its only setback of the season Feb. 24 against USC. Heading into Friday night's meeting with Harvard, Stanford is led by the scoring of senior Melissa Seidemann, who leads the Cardinal with 36 goals, along with Anna Yelizarova (29 goals) and Maggie Steffens and Kiley Neushul, each with 25 goals on the year.

Stanford's defense, behind the goalkeeping trifecta of Kate Baldoni, Emily Dorst and Gabby Stone, allows just 4.33 goals per game.

Harvard (13-6) rolls into Avery Aquatic Center Friday night for the penultimate game of its eight-game West Coast trip. The Crimson, 3-2 so far in its trip, enters Friday's contest following a Thursday night battle at San Jose State.

The Crimson is led by the play of three 30-goal scorers, led by Charlotte Hendrix' 40 goals, Aisha Price (37 goals) and Yoshi Andersen (34 goals). In the cage, Ariel Dukes has made 123 saves along with assisting on six goals.