March 18, 2007

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Blaise Stanicic scored three goals in each game as the University of Maryland split a pair of women's water polo matches on Sunday in California.

In the opener, Maryland lost a 10-6 decision to ninth-ranked San Jose State, having trouble recovering from a 4-0 deficit in the first quarter.

Maryland won the nightcap at UC Santa Cruz, 9-2, also getting a pair of goals each from Elizabeth Hopkins and Shannon Simerly.

Against San Jose State, Maryland stayed even for the final three quarters as its defense played well according to head coach Carl Salyer. "The goalies had some huge blocks to keep us in the game," said Salyer. "To stay close and give ourselves some chances to catch up against the ninth-ranked team in the country was good."

Sophomore Ashleigh Jobson had 10 blocks in goal for the Terps, while Anna Gossett added four. Jill Lau, Bryndis Klein and Simerly added one goal each against the Spartans.

After a trip over the mountain to Santa Cruz, the Terps got goals from five different players in the win over the Banana Slugs. The Terps took leads of 3-0 and 5-1 after the first two periods and cruised to the victory.

"We played great defense again," said Salyer. "We were a little tired after traveling Saturday and playing earlier Sunday, but we had a breakthrough defensively. They're starting to do some things we're asking them to do and our goalies came up big again."

Jobson had another 10 blocks against UCSC, with Gossett finishing with three. Klein and Liz Eicks added goals for the Terps in the second game.

Maryland continues its California swing on Wednesday with a match against Pacific in Stockton, Calif. Maryland's next home matches will be March 30 and 31 against CWPA South Division opponents Bucknell and Princeton.

Maryland (8-12)       0  3  1  2 -  6
San Jose State (9-9)  4  2  2  2 - 10

MARYLAND GOALS - Blaise Stanicic 3, Jill Lau, Bryndis Klein, Shannon Simerly.
SAN JOSE STATE GOALS - Geraldine Hazlett 4, Alexis Higlett 2, Tanya Torres 2, Deanna Lowry, Kayleigh Knight.

Maryland (9-12)    3  2  2  2  - 9
UC Santa Cruz      0  1  0  1  - 2

MARYLAND GOALS - Blaise Stanicic 3, Elizabeth Hopkins 2, Shannon Simerly 2, Bryndis Klein, Elizabeth Eicks.
UC SANTA CRUZ GOALS - Unavailable.