Nov. 19, 1999
The eight-ranked Stanford women's soccer team fell to fifth-ranked Notre Dame 1-0 in the third round of the NCAA Women's College Cup today at Alumni Field in South Bend, Ind. The game remained tied until the 81st minute when Notre Dame's Mia Sarkesian scored from 20 yards in after the Cardinal attempted to clear the ball up field.
The Cardinal had a chance to tie the game with seven minutes remaining in regulation, but senior Ronnie Fair's (Los Gatos, Calif.) penalty kick hit the left post before deflecting off the right post, never crossing into the goal. Fair had been perfect in three previous penalty kick attempts this season.
"Maybe it was the luck of the Irish," Stanford head coach Steve Swanson said. "Ronnie has scored so many goals from free kicks this season. It was one of those things that happens. It was probably a millimeter off. What can you do?"
"I've seen the ball bounce off of two posts before but not on a penalty kick," Irish head coach Randy Waldrum. "That's a first for me and I've been in it a long time. We had some luck go our way on that one."
Senior Kelly Adamson (Simi Valley, Calif.), who had two goals versus Cal Poly in the second round, led Stanford in shots with five. Adamson had two opportuities early in the game but Irish defender Vaness Pruzinsky cleared a ball off the goal line in the 15th minute and a header was rejected by Notre Dame goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene.
The Cardinal received a stellar performance from junior goalkeeper Carly Smolak (Lake Oswego, Ore.). Smolak made six saves on 15 Notre Dame shots in 90 minutes of play. Stanford managed nine shots on goal, as Irish goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene made four saves to earn the shutout.
The Cardinal reached the third round after receiving a first round bye, then defeating Cal Poly 3-1 in the second round at New Maloney Field on Nov. 13.
12F Stanford (15-5-1)000 Notre Dame (20-3-0)011
ND: Sarkesian, 80:18
STANND Shots915 Corner Kicks69 Saves65 Fouls1911