Stanford Upends SoCal for Title

Meanwhile, back on the ranch, all appears well for the future of U.S. women’s water polo.

Two teams without a player born before 1980 played for the senior national championships Sunday at Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, just a few hours after the U.S. women’s national team won a gold medal at the FINA world championships in Barcelona.

The Stanford water polo club came from the losers’ bracket to win the senior championships, 4-1, over Tustin-based SoCal Water Polo Foundation.

Each finalist won close matches against more experienced teams to reach the title game.

SoCal, seeded 12th in the 16-team tournament, accomplished the rare feat of reaching the final with the same group of players in both the 20-and-under national championships -- which concluded with a loss Thursday to San Diego Shores -- and the senior championships.

In one of three group-play victories Friday, SoCal defeated defending champion New York Athletic Club, led by 2000 Olympians Coralie Simmons and Kathy “Gubba” Sheehy, 6-5. SoCal sent Stanford into the losers’ bracket with another 6-5 victory Saturday, then reached the final by beating the Paradise Club of Santa Barbara, 7-3.

“We exceeded our expectations,” said SoCal Coach Dave Mikesell.

In the semifinals, Stanford’s youth prevailed in a 9-6 victory over an Oakland Water Polo Club that had nine players born before 1980. For the first time in the event’s history, the length of the pool was extended from 25 meters to the Olympic distance of 30. Some coaches said the extra length was a factor.

“It definitely benefits the younger player,” said Oakland Coach Bob Nutcher, a former men’s water polo player at Pepperdine. “My girls had never player at 30 meters before.”

Although several players on the SoCal team had played 30-meter games, Mikesell said the distance became a factor. “The previous 13 games it wasn’t,” he said. “But it finally hit us.”

SoCal was held without a goal until Brittany Hayes scored with 2:33 left. By that time, Stanford had a four-goal lead behind two goals from Erica Wilson.