May 1, 2011

Complete Box Score

By Brian O’Neill
Athletic Media Relations

HAYWARD, Calif. – The Rams saved their best stuff for the final day of the conference tournament as the defeated No. 6 Sonoma State 16-6 on Sunday morning at Chabot Community College. The win puts CSU in a fifth-place finish for 2011, its second-best finish in program history.

“We played our game today, start to finish,” said coach Mike Moody. “Wasn’t the finish we wanted (fifth place) but we played great today.”

The Rams continued to progress as the weekend went on. After a disappointing loss on Friday,  (13-16, 6-7 Western Water Polo Association) had a close victory on Saturday followed by Sunday’s impressive 10-goal win. It was the Rams’ second win over the Sea Wolves (9-28, 3-10 WWPA) as they defeated them 10-8 on March 18.

The seniors for CSU really came to play during their last performance as a Ram. Between the four seniors, 10 goals were scored. Ali Pavlik had four goals to end a remarkable career while Natale Berge and Orsi Nadasdy were also able to tally hat tricks of their own on the day.

“Our seniors went out with a bang today,” said Moody. “I can’t say enough about our seniors, we are all going to miss them next year. But they really put their mark on this program over the past four years.”

CSU had one of its best shot-selection games of the season on Sunday. Not only were the Rams able to score 16 goals, their second highest on the season, but the Sonoma State goalie also only made three saves.

A few younger athletes also turned in good performances on Sunday. All-freshman member Lauren Porteus scored a goal while promising sophomore Shelby Schaefer earned herself a hat trick.

“We sent our seniors and John (Mattos) with a good farewell,” said Moody. “But now we have to move on.”

After the tournament concluded, Ali Pavlik was named second-team all-tournament; another award to add to her list of accomplishments as a CSU Ram.

“She put the team on her back today,” said Moody. “She wanted to make sure things went her way for her final game.”

In the championship matchup, a rematch of last year’s game, No. 2 UC San Diego was able to take down No. 1 LMU, giving the Lions their first conference loss of the season. UC San Diego’s next step will be the NCAA tournament.

Overall, it was another solid tournament for the Rams and shows what a bright future this young program has. The Rams will now look to bring in some good freshmen and continue growing as a program when they begin the 2012 season next January.

CSU 16, Sonoma State 6
                  1-2-3-4-F  
Sonoma St.  1-1-2-2-6
Colorado St.  5-5-2-4-16

CSU Goals: Pavlik 4, Nadasdy 3, Berge 3, Schaefer 3, Porteus, Bryan, Berry.
Sonoma Goals: Stansfield 3, Kunz, Lowy, Del Carlo.
Saves: Fisher (CSU) 5, Basso (Sonoma) 3.