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49ers Host Three Games as Part of Busy Week
San Diego State Comes to Town on Thursday
March 21, 2007
LONG BEACH, CA-- Long Beach State (6-7, 2-3 MPSF) will begin a three-game
homestand this Thursday when they host No. 4-ranked San Diego State (13-4,
4-2 MPSF) in an MPSF matchup, and No. 7-ranked UC Davis (15-4) and Brown
(8-3) on Monday and Tuesday in non-conference showdowns. All matches are
at 3 p.m. The 49ers are currently in eighth place in the MPSF. UCD has
won six straight heading into the week, as they play at Maryland on March
23 and at LMU on March 24. Brown will play four games at the Aztec Invitational
and a game earlier in the day at Cal Baptist, before playing LBSU. The
49ers have split their last six decisions and against No. 4-ranked teams
(Cal and Hawaii), have twice lost by just two goals.
The 49ers' next two weeks are jammed pack, as the three home games are
followed by matches at Loyola Marymount on March 29 and at USC on March
31, culminating in five games in nine games.
AT THE HELM
Catharine von Schwarz, a member of the U.S. National Team for eight years
is in her first year as the head coach. While at UCLA, she won four-straight
national titles. Von Schwarz takes over a program that has had four-straight
winning seasons and 20 wins in three of those campaigns.
WHERE THEY RANK
UC Davis ranks fourth nationally in scoring (12.3), Brown ranks 11th nationally
in goals per game (10.4), San Diego State ranks 26th nationally (8.9),
the 49ers are 30th (8.7). On the defensive end, the Aztecs and Aggies
are both fourth nationally (6.6 goals allowed), Brown is 22nd (8.3) and
the 49ers are 34th (9.8).
FAMILAR FLAVOR
The Fina World Championships in Melbourne, Australia would not be a bad
place to hold an alumni reunion for Long Beach State. Six current or former
49er water polo players are playing in the international competition that
runs from March 17 to April 1, while another three, are on the sidelines.
Current players, Cecilia and Marina Canetti, left last week to play for
Brazil. Former players, All-American Tara Campbell and Allison Braden
are playing for Canada, while fellow All-Americans Roberta Stewart (New
Zealand) and Angelica Garcia (Puerto Rico) are also involved.
UPDATE FROM DOWN UNDER
In the preliminary rounds early this week, Brazil took care of Puerto
Rico 13-2, as Marina Canetti had two goals, and lost to Canada 6-3 as
Tara Campbell had three goals for the Canadians. Canada also lost to Australia,
5-4, as Campbell had a goal in the loss.The U.S. picked up wins over the
Netherlands (9-7) and Kazakhstan (13-5). New Zealand also tied Cuba 7-7.
New Zealand is playing Hungary later.
WENSMAN NOW GO-TO PLAYER
With the Canetti sisters in Australia, the scoring will rely a little
more on senior Christina Wensman, who currently leads the team with 22
goals and a team-best 19 assists. Wensman has led the team in scoring
five times this season. Wensman also has the ability to become the ninth
player in school history to topple the century mark, as she enters the
Brown game with 84 scores in her four-year career.
LEE GAINS MORE PLAYING TIME
Freshman Branwyn Lee, one of 11 freshmen on the team has earned extended
playing time and has scored four goals over the last three games. Lee
is hitting 31 percent of her shots on the year.
SOLID SENIOR
Fellow senior, Megan Winchell, one of three Golden West College transfers
on the team, enters her second year with the team and ranks fourth on
the squad with 20 goals. Winchell is shooting a team-high 39 percent from
the pool. Winchell had four goals against Michigan earlier this year.
KEEPING THEM CLOSE
Already this season, five of the 49ers seven losses have been by three
goals or less. Furthermore, loses at Hawaii (10-9), to Loyola Marymount
(10-9) and Santa Clara (11-10 in double overtime) have been by a single
goal.
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