College of San Mateo Sports News, September 24, 2003
Contact: Fred Baer 650-345-4114

Former Peninsula Athletic League rivals Kellie Austin and Sarah Gerhardt combined for 16 goals as College of San Mateo won its first ever women's water polo home game, 19-9, over De Anza Wednesday.

It was also the first victory for the new CSM team, which had gone 0-3 in tournament and road action earlier this month.

De Anza struck first, on a long shot just 15 seconds into the game after winning the opening sprint. Austin then led the Bulldogs on a 5-0 run, with three goals, while they didn't allow the Dons to get off a shot at goalie Stephanie Hettrich.

CSM maintained at least a 2-1 scoring margin over the Dons for most of the game, leading 10-5 at the half and 15-6 after three quarters.

"The key was heavy pressure," CSM coach Randy Wright said. "We were always in their face."

Austin, a freshman out of Woodside, scored six of her seven goals in the first half.

Gerhardt, the most valuable player in the PAL last year at Mills, scored nine goals, six in the second half. Each also had an assist.

"It was comfortable being at home," Austin said.

"We came in with a positive attitude," Gerhardt said. We weren't intimidated,"

Austin commented on playing together with Gerhardt. "We were rivals. We played against each other for three years. Now its fun to be playing together."

Gerhardt added, "It's cool now. We help each other. I count on her to be open."

"We have a situation in our offense to use both of them," Wright said. He also noted the third key player in CSM's offense, Menlo-Atherton grad Sam Joslyn. "Sam led the point," Wright said. "She got the ball from the goalie and distributed the ball to them (Austin and Gerhardt)."

Michele Mughannam, Gerhardt's former teammate at Mills, was instrumental on offense and defense and scored an early goal.

Also tallying goals for the Bulldogs were Nataly Parra out of Aragon and Marie Pleasant out of Hillsdale. Hettrich (from Half Moon Bay High) and Caitlyn Gilley (out of Woodside) played in the goal and each had three saves.
CSM, now 1-1 in Coast Conference play (undefeated at home), next visits Foothill in Los Altos Hills Monday (Sept. 29) at 4 p.m. before playing at home again on Oct. 8 against West Valley (3 p.m.)

Note: This was the first CSM water polo game of any kind at home since 1979. The Bulldogs fielded men's water polo teams at the College Heights campus from 1963 to 1979. They do not currently have a men's program.
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Reporter's notebook: We have to admit covering the CSM men's team debut at the new campus 40 years ago too, as SID -- F.B.