June 4, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. - Freshman driver Kiley Neushul was named the 2012 Peter J. Cutino Award winner, the Olympic Club announced Saturday night, making her the second straight Stanford recipient of the honor given annually to the top male and female collegiate water polo players in the nation.

Neushul, from Goleta, Calif. becomes the fourth Stanford player overall to earn the award, following last year's winner, Annika Dries, as well as Jackie Frank (2003) and Brenda Villa (2002).

"Kiley had a tremendous season, as did our entire team," said Stanford women's water polo head coach John Tanner. "It was great seeing her honored in front of a room full of water polo legends."

UCLA's Caitlin Dement and KK Clark rounded out the three finalists for the women's award.

Neushul scored a team-best 58 goals as Stanford captured its second straight NCAA title, and third overall, in 2012. At the National Collegiate Championship in San Diego in mid-May, Neushul scored three goals, including a goal in the Cardinal's 6-4 title-game win over USC.

The freshman driver recorded 11 hat tricks and 17 multi-goal games as the Cardinal went 26-2 overall, including a perfect 7-0 record in MPSF regular-season play.

Neushul's performance on the year led to her being named MPSF Newcomer of the Year as well as to the All-MPSF First Team and All-Newcomer Team. Additionally, she earned one KAP 7 MPSF Player of the Week honor (April 16) in addition to being a four-time KAP 7 MPSF Newcomer of the Week (Jan. 30, Feb. 27, March 12, April 23).