STANFORD, Calif. – In one half of play, Kelsey Murray came within one goal of the Stanford single-game scoring record. Murray's six goals led the Cardinal to a 21-5 victory over Cal on Saturday in the first Pac-12 lacrosse game played on The Farm.
Murray, who didn't play in the second half after Stanford built a 13-3 halftime lead, has scored six or more goals three times in her collegiate career. The school record is seven, which she holds with Lucy Dikeou and Sarah Flynn.
Playing in a light rain, Stanford (5-3 overall) improved to 2-1 in the new Pac-12, while the Golden Bears, coached by Stanford coach Amy Bokker's former assistant Brooke Eubanks, is 4-5 and 0-3.
Stanford got seven saves and three ground balls from Allie DaCar. Teammate Dillon Schoen had a hat trick, and the Card got two goals each from Ali Baiocco (who also had two assists) and Maggie Nick. Galen Lew had a goal and three assists.
Nick and Schoen opened up the scoring with goals in the game's first 2:19. After Cal cut it to 2-1, Murray scored consecutive goals to spark a five-goal unanswered spurt that broke the game open. After Cal closed to within 8-3, Stanford scored 11 consecutive goals bridging the first and second halves.
Murray has 23 goals this season and 165 in her Stanford career, the most by 20 (and counting) in school history.
Stanford returns to action Friday to begin a home weekend with a contest against Arizona State at 7 p.m. and then plays USC on Sunday. All home games are at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
