STANFORD, Calif. - Three current and former Stanford women's water polo stars played key roles in helping the U.S. Senior National Team capture the Canada Cup title over the weekend in Montreal. Melissa Seidemann '12 led the U.S. with 12 goals over the American side's 4-1 run, while Christina Hewko '07 scored three times and goalie Amber Oland '11 earned a win in round-robin play.

The U.S. finished 2-1 in round-robin play, dropping its only decision in the opener against Australia by a score of 8-4. From there, the team reeled off four straight wins, including the Cup-clinching 8-7 victory over the Australians in the final on Sunday.

Seidemann was named the third star of the championship final, scoring twice in the win over the Aussies. The sophomore from Walnut Creek was named among the top three stars in three of the five U.S. contests, highlighted by being named the No. 1 star after scoring twice in the 13-10 U.S. victory over Italy on Friday. Seidemann's best scoring performance of the tournament came in Saturday's 11-10 semifinal shootout victory over the Italians, when she notched a hat trick that included the game-tying goal with 41 seconds left in overtime. The U.S. would go on to win the shootout and advance to the gold medal game.

Oland played in two contests for the U.S. at the Canada Cup, first being in the cage in the opener, the 8-4 loss to Australia. Despite the setback, Oland rebounded with a strong effort against a potent Italian squad, making seven saves and getting the victory as the U.S. came out on top, 13-10 in its final round-robin game to clinch the second seed in the semifinals.

Hewko scored the first of her three goals of the tournament in the 12-3 victory over Canada on Thursday. Her next two goals though, would prove pivotal, as she opened the scoring in the semifinal against Italy, then capped off the contest in the shootout by burying the game-winner as the U.S. snatched an 11-10 comeback victory.