49ers Upset Stanford for School's Biggest Win
No. 4 Beach Topple No. 2 Stanford 8-7 LONG BEACH, CA-- The game had all the makings of a prize winning fight. A comeback win, a key steal and three huge game-tying shots, as the No. 4-ranked Long Beach State 49ers (17-5, 6-2 MPSF) produced its biggest win in the program's six years, toppling No. 2-ranked Stanford (14-2, 6-1 MPSF) 8-7 at the campus pool on Saturday afternoon. The Beach went on a 6-2 run over the final two periods, erasing a 5-2 lead by Stanford to take the school's first victory in 11 meetings with the Cardinal. Roberta Stewart scored the game-winner, one of three goals on the day, with 2:29 left, with the team's third penalty shot of the day. Stewart also came up with a key steal, in front of the net, with 28 seconds left, to seal the victory. Stewart's game-winner was set up with 2:29 left, as Angelica Garcia was attempting to score from the 2-meter area, only to be fouled by Julie Gardner. Freshman Cassie Azevedo's momentum shifting goal with 3:29 left in the fourth,from four meters out from the right side with the shot clock winding down tied it at 7-7. Wendy Watkins' goal at 4:07 had given the Cardinal a 7-6 lead. Robyn Gordin tied it at 6-6 with 23 seconds left in the third, after Watkins gave the Cardinal a 6-5 lead with a minute left. Garcia's power-play goal with 2:27 left in the third, one of four goals scored by LBSU in the period, tied it at 5-5, finishing the comeback for LBSU. Laurel Champion's power-play goal to start the third period, made it 5-2 Cardinal with 6:31 remaining. The 49ers took an early 2-1 lead on Roberta Stewart's penalty shot with 3:10 left in the first, before the Cardinal scored four unanswered to take a 5-2 lead. Bri Hawkins won the battle between last week's MPSF co-Players of the Week, tallying four saves and win over fellow Player of the Week and goalie Jackie Frank. The Beach are next in action when they host its own Long Beach State Tournament next weekend at the campus pool. | TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -- | SCORE | RECORDS | | #2 Stanford | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | -- | 7 | 14-2, 6-1 | | #4 LBSU | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -- | 8 | 17-5, 6-2 | LBSU Goals: Roberta Stewart-3, Robyn Gordin-2, Angelica Garcia-2, Cassie Azevedo
Stanford Goals: Wendy Watkins-3, Laurel Champion-2, Brenda Villa, Julie Gardner | Saves: Bri Hawkins (LBSU) 4, Jackie Frank (STAN) 1 |
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