Women's Water Polo Team Advances to National SemifinalsWomen's Water Polo Team Advances to National Semifinals
Women's Water Polo

Women's Water Polo Team Advances to National Semifinals

May 7, 1999

DAVIS, Calif. - Freshman Kate Pettit (Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge) scored three goals to lead No. 2 Stanford to a 6-1 quarterfinal win over No. 7 UC Davis in the Collegiate National Championships Friday afternoon at UC Davis. Stanford (24-5) advances to meet the winner of this evening's quarterfinal between No. 3 California and No. 6 San Diego State in the semifinals Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The Aggies (25-11) will play the loser of the Cal-SDSU game Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

Stanford senior Heather Crary (Atherton, CA/Menlo School), a three-time All-American, has not allowed a goal in 37 minutes of action at this year's nationals. She played half of the Cardinal's 14-0 opening-round win over No. 15 Michigan Friday morning and played the first 23 minutes of the win over the Aggies. Sophomore Alli Henry (Palos Verdes, CA/Chadwick School) has allowed only one goal in nearly a full game of relief, as the Aggies averted the shutout with three minutes left in the fourth quarter on a goal by Christa Hattich.

Sophomore Anne-Marie Keenan (Woodside, CA/Menlo School) scored on a pass from freshman Margie Dingeldein (Merced, CA/Merced) with Stanford on a man-advantage to open the scoring. Pettit then scored on a tip shot off a pass from Keenan, and then scored again inside to make it 3-0 at halftime. Sophomore Kris Koblik (Davis, CA/Davis), playing for a national title in her hometown, scored on another 6-on-5 to open the second half, followed by goals from Pettit and sophomore Hilary Gallogly (Orinda, CA/Miramonte).

"If defense wins championships, then we're right on course," Stanford Coach John Tanner said, "but tomorrow will be a whole different test. I think Heather (Crary) has people uneasy shooting against her, our defense is only allowing the shots we want them to take, and our counterattack is really fast and has people on their heels."

Crary finished with six saves and Henry added three. Molly Morris made five saves for the Aggies.

After this evenings quarterfinals, the tournament continues at UC Davis Hickey Pool with the semifinal round Saturday. The national championship game will take place Sunday afternoon.

 1 2 3 4 F
#7 UC Davis 0 0 0 1 - 1
#2 Stanford 2 1 3 0 - 6

Scoring
UC Davis:
Christa Hattich
Stanford: Kate Pettit 3, Hilary Gallogly, Anne-Marie Keenan, Kris Koblik

Saves
UC Davis:
Molly Morris 5
Stanford: Heather Crary 6, Alli Henry 3

Records - Stanford 24-5, UC Davis 25-11