SEASIDE --- Stanford, ranked No. 2 in Division I women's water polo, visited Cal State Monterey  Bay on Sunday and beat the Otters 19-9, but coach Gary Figueroa said he couldn't see the loss as a defeat.

“That was a spectacular team and I just wanted my women to learn some things from some of the best athletes in the college game and a real classy organization,” said Figueroa. “My team never stopped playing as hard they could and improved as the match wore on. It was definitely a good thing for them.”

Stanford jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first period; their aggressiveness and speed seemed to take CSUMB a little by surprise. The Cardinal would build an 8-0 lead in the second period before #Cookie Cuzynski# put the Otters on the board with 5:35 left before halftime. #Chelsea Laning# scored the next goal, the first of four for her, with 3:57 left and #Erica Bergeson# scored the Otters third goal of the half with 2:18 left to make it 11-3. A minute later, Stanford's Kira Hillman, who scored the first goal of the game 43 second in, scored the last goal of the half to make it 12-3.

With several of Stanford's best sitting out significant time in the second half, CSUMB held its own, losing the third period 4-2, but outscoring Stanford 4-3 in the fourth. Laning scored two of her goals in the fourth. Freshman #Nikki Smart# scored the Otters' final goal with 1:58 left. Goalie #Jenna Beer# made 13 saves.

The Otters are nearing the end of their season (15-10 overall) will next play in the UC Davis Aggies Shootout in Davis, Calif. on April 6.