Dec. 1, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

USC (27-0 overall, 8-0 MPSF) had just one lead in the MPSF Championship game at Pepperdine Sunday, and it happened to be with no time remaining in regulation. Junior Shea Buckner knocked in a power-play game-winner at the buzzer to give the undefeated Trojans their second straight conference tournament title, 3-2. USC was behind 2-1 with less than 90 seconds left in the fourth quarter, before scoring the final two goals. Freshman Joel Dennerley stopped 14 shots. USC also topped UCI (8-6) and UCLA (9-5) in Malibu. The Trojans are the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Tournament this weekend (Dec. 6-7) in Palo Alto, and meet No. 4 seed Navy in one semi-final Friday.

PEPPERDINE (21-7 overall, 6-2 MPSF) made a strong run at the MPSF Tournament in which it hosted. The Waves outlasted No. 6 seed UCSB (11-7) and upset No. 2 seed Stanford (8-7, OT), before the tough loss to No. 1 USC in the championship (3-2). Freshman goalkeeper John Hahn tallied 13 saves in the final and 12 in the semifinal vs. the Cardinal. Brett Auer scored twice late in the fourth to lead the upset. The Waves turn in a 21-7 season.

STANFORD (24-5 overall, 6-2 MPSF) took third with a 10-7 decision over No. 4 seed UCLA Sunday. The Cardinal also knocked off Long Beach State (13-7) on day one, prior to falling to Pepperdine (8-7, OT). In the third-place win, Stanford jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and was never caught. Drac Wigo, Janson Wigo, and Sage Wright each nailed hat tricks. Jimmy Sandman registered 12 saves. The Cardinal received the NCAA at-large berth as the No. 2 seed, and will host No. 3 seed Loyola Marymount Friday at 6:45 p.m. in the second semi-final.

UCLA (16-8 overall, 5-3 MPSF) defeated No. 5 seed California, 11-8, on day one and would go on to claim fourth place. Junior goalkeeper Chay Lapin picked up 13 saves in the win, while Scott Davidson and Beh Hohl each contributed a hat trick. Krsto Sbutega added three goals in Sunday's loss. The Bruins finish their season 16-8.

UC SANTA BARBARA (17-11 overall, 4-4 MPSF) won two of three tournament games to end up 17-11, placing fifth, as both victories came in overtime. Following an 11-7 loss to host Pepperdine, the No. 6 seeded Gauchos bounced back with a 13-12 sudden-victory over No. 7 Long Beach State, before a 9-7 OT triumph over No. 8 UC Irvine. UCSB erased a two-goal deficit at the half to UCI, while Fraser Bunn collected 11 saves in the cage.

UC IRVINE (11-15 overall, 1-7 MPSF) finished sixth with one tournament win. The No. 8 seeded Anteaters stunned No. 5 seed California on day two, 13-12 in the second sudden-victory period. Sophomore Brandon Johnson sealed the win on a penalty shot, the last of his four goals. Junior Greg Enloe added three goals. UCI ends up 11-15.

CALIFORNIA (19-9 overall, 4-4 MPSF) took seventh-place with a 13-9 win over No. 7 seed Long Beach State Sunday. Tied at 7 in the third period, the Bears used a 6-2 run to close the game. Five Bears' scored twice in the win, while Brian Dudley had three goals in a loss to UC Irvine on Saturday. Cal finishes 19-9 overall.

LONG BEACH STATE (14-18 overall, 2-6 MPSF) placed eighth with losses to Stanford (13-7), UC Santa Barbara (13-12) in sudden-victory, and California (13-9). Senior Ash Blythen scored five goals in the first-round against the Cardinal, while senior Jake Kinne tallied a hat trick on day two against the Gauchos. The 49ers end the year 14-18.

PACIFIC (10-20 overall, 0-8 MPSF) ended its season 10-20 overall. During the final regular season game, senior goalkeeper Brian Domecus tied the all-time saves record at Pacific with 754.