2004 Stanford Water Polo Outlook 2003 Year in Review or the third straight season and for the 17th time in the last 28 years, ardinal head water polo coach John Sam Tyre, Trent Wiesen) who will give Stanford outstanding leadership. Crum FStanford played in the NCAA title game. The Cardinal was trying to win its CVargas looks intently at the 2004 was Stanford's fourth leading scorer with 32 goals, while Moser, Tyre and Wiesen third straight national title, but the USC Trojans prevailed in the title game, 9- Stanford roster and he definitely likes all played extensive roles in Stanford's success last year, much of it on defense. 7, in overtime. Stanford finished the year, 22-5, and a 7-1 record in the what he sees. Talent, experience, depth, The Cardinal lost only one player to graduation, Michael Derse. Although Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). Stanford earned an at-large and a roster that features one of the great Derse played a major role in Stanford's march to the NCAA title game last year, berth in the NCAA Tournament, and players not only on the collegiate level, Vargas has developed another strong group of reserves from last season to play 2003 Results scored a 14-8 victory over Loyola but in the world. The pieces that are prominent roles this year. The list of players expected to significantly contribute Date Opponent Outcome Marymount to reach the NCAA title needed to win an NCAA title are all there this year are J.J. Garton, Tyler Drake, Marcello Pantuliano, Nick Wagner and Will 9/7 at UC Santa Cruz W, 22-4 game against USC. Stanford fought Southern California Tournament back from a 4-1 deficit at halftime, and for the Stanford Cardinal of 2004. McColl. Ryan Fortune, Kirk McConnell and Forrest Schwartz will also add depth. 9/20 vs. UC San Diego W, 14-8 led 7-6 with 2:28 to play. But the Offensively, Stanford returns seven of "Our younger players will have specific roles again this year," said Vargas. vs. UC Santa Barbara W, 9-7 Trojans tied the game at 1:31 and its top eight scorers that accounted for "Azevedo, Hopkins and Varellas will be heavily defended and that means the 9/21 vs. California W 10-5 vs. USC L, 10-9 (3ot) scored two goals in the second over- 248 of the team's 293 goals. Tony younger players will need to step up as scorers. Depth was a concern last year, but 9/24 BYU Hawaii W, 16-8 time. Azevedo, Thomas Hopkins and Peter I don't think that will be a problem this year." Northern California Tournament Tony Azevedo led the Cardinal Varellas were the team's top three scorers, Not only will the offense be strong, but the defense will keep opponents away 10/4 vs. Santa Clara W, 16-2 attack with 89 goals in 2003, and and all three will give the Cardinal a pow- from the goal. Chad Taylor returns from an All-American season in 2003 when he vs. UCLA W, 7-4 became the school's all-time leading 10/5 vs. Pepperdine W, 10-9 erful attack that defenses will have trouble collected 190 saves as a starter in all 27 games. In ten games, Taylor collected ten vs. California L, 10-9 (3ot) scorer with 252 goals. Thomas Hopkins added 47 goals while Peter Varellas containing. Azevedo, who started for the or more saves, including a career-high 16 against UC Irvine. Beau Stockstill and 10/11 at USC L, 9-7 2000 and 2004 United States Olympic David Carlson will provide valuable depth, while freshman Sandy Hohener 10/12 at Loyola Marymount W, 11-4 added 43. Eight players scored in dou- Team, is regarded as the best player to (Foothill HS, Santa Ana, Ca) could see some quality playing time. Hohener has 10/18 UC Santa Barbara W, 10-7 ble-digits for the season. Stanford led 10/19 at UC Davis W, 13-3 the MPSF in goals per game average at ever compete in the Stanford water polo played on the United States Youth team. Peter Varellas 10/24 UC San Diego W, 13-7 10.85. program. His statistics and post-season "Chad matured during the season," said Vargas. "The defense in front of Chad 11/1 UCLA W, 6-4 Post-season honors were plenty. honors easily back up that statement. In was great which allowed Chad to get better game-by-game." 11/2 Pepperdine W, 10-8 11/8 at Pacific W, 17-4 Tony Azevedo was given the American his three seasons on The Farm, Azevedo has already become Stanford's all-time Hohener is one of five outstanding freshmen. Of this group, Michael Bury 11/9 at California W, 10-8 Water Polo Coaches Association scorer in water polo history with 252 goals, easily beating previous #1 scorer, (Newport Harbor HS, Newport Beach, Ca), could play a sizable role in the team's 11/15 at UC Irvine W, 12-6 (AWPCA) and the Peter J. Cutino James Bergeson, who tallied 235 goals in all of his years (1979-82). For three success in 2004. The other talented freshmen are Andrew Drake (Tokay HS, Lodi, 11/16 at Long Beach State W, 12-8 Awards, the third straight season that 11/22 California W, 5-3 straight years, Azevedo has won the AWPCA and Peter Cutino Awards, symbolic Ca), Michael McCaffery (St. Ignatius, Hillsborough, Ca) and Steven Wright (The MPSF Tournament Azevedo won National Player of the of the nation's Player of the Year. In addition, Azevedo has been named the Menlo School, Menlo Park, Ca). 11/28 vs. UC Irvine W, 9-5 Year honors. Michael Derse and Chad Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Player of the Year. Vargas, who has For the second straight year, Stanford University will host the NCAA 11/29 vs. UCLA W, 9-7 Taylor were named second team All- extensive experience coaching nationally and internationally, still marvels at the Championships (Dec. 4-5) at the Avery Aquatic Center. Last year, a capacity crowd 11/30 vs. USC L, 8-6 Americans while Thomas Hopkins was NCAA Tournament named an Honorable Mention All- talents of Azevedo. watched Stanford and USC duel for the national title. Also this year, Stanford will 12/6 vs. Loyola Marymount W, 14-8 "His statistics and his post-season honors make him the best collegiate player host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament (Nov. 26-28). 12/7 vs. USC L, 9-7 American. Azevedo was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation ever," said Vargas, who is entering his third year at the Stanford helm. "No one has "Hosting the NCAA's at Stanford will be a spectacular event," said Vargas. "The (MPSF) Player of the Year for the third ever been the National Player and League Player of the Year three years in a row, Avery Aquatic Center is a phenomenal place to watch water polo. The facility is straight season. and he has an excellent chance at making it four. Tony is the career scoring leader world class, the crowds are great, and the entire community is very supportive." Named to the second team were in just three years. The best thing that can happen to Tony would be to graduate Stanford will be a Derse and Taylor, while Hopkins was from Stanford with another NCAA title in 2004. Tony has the uncanny ability to prime contender for named to the third team. Greg Crum make other players look great. I think we have a good team without Tony, but we NCAA team honors and Peter Varellas were named have a great team with him." along with UCLA which Honorable Mention All-MPSF. At the Azevedo joined the Cardinal shortly after the completion of the summer returns all of its starters, NCAA Tournament, Azevedo was Olympics in Greece in late August. and defending NCAA named co-MVP, while Derse and "We've built in some active rest for Tony which he will definitely need," said champion USC. The Varellas were named all-tournament Vargas, who served as head coach of the U.S. National team from 1997-2000. "But Trojans lost several key first team while Taylor and Hopkins were named All-Tournament second Tony is so excited about coming back for his final season which will make the players from last year's team. transition to the 2004 collegiate season easier." team, but have recruited Derse received a $7,500 NCAA Post- Hopkins, a junior, chalked up 47 goals last year while Varellas added 43. great talent in recent Graduate Scholarship. Derse graduated "Hopkins and Varellas have played in two NCAA championship games," said years. in June, 2004, with a degree in Vargas. "I'm sure they'll score many more goals this year. I think we will all see Mechanical Engineering. Derse, Tyler some great play from those two players." Drake, Matt Moser, Taylor, Sam Tyre Besides Azevedo, the Cardinal has four other seniors (Greg Crum, Matt Moser, Greg Crum and Varellas were named to the All- Coach John Vargas led the Cardinal to its third MPSF Academic team. straight NCAA title game. 2004 Roster Player Bios Cardinal Catalogue: Economics major … Born October 5, 1982. Collected 190 saves, ninth-best for a single season at Stanford Tony Azevedo … His 6.11 goals against average was #4 in the Mountain Pacific Name Pos. Year Hometown (Last School) Tyler Drake Sports Federation (MPSF) … Fifth in the MPSF in saves per Tony Azevedo Driver SR Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Wilson HS) Senior Sophomore game at 7.04 … Snared a career-high 16 saves in the opening Michael Bury Utility FR Newport Beach, CA (Newport Harbor HS) Long Beach, CA Driver Long Beach, CA Driver round of the MPSF Tournament against UC Irvine … David Carlson GK SO Claremont, CA (Pasadena Poly HS) 2003 Season (Junior): Became Stanford’s all- 2003 Season (Freshman): Scored 12 goals … Collected 12 saves against California … His 12 saves against the Greg Crum 2M/O SR San Pedro, CA (Chadwick HS) time leading scorer (252) … That broke the Tallied two goals in games against UC Santa Golden Bears earned him MPSF Player of the Week honors … Andrew Drake Utility FR Lodi, CA (Tokay HS) previous mark of 235 by James Bergeson Cruz, Santa Clara and Pacific … Named to Collected ten or more saves in four games.