Oct. 21, 2001
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford (8-6, 4-0 NorPac) remained in first place in the NorPac West Division and Erica Swesey continued her hot streak with a pair goals as the Cardinal rolled to a 4-1 victory over Saint Louis (5-10, 0-5 NorPac) in a NorPac contest on Senior Day at the Varsity Field Hockey Turf on Sunday. Swesey has now scored in each Stanford victory during its current season-long five-game win streak, which equals its longest win streak since being victorious in the final five games of the 1998 campaign. Stanford has also now won seven straight contests against NorPac opponents dating back to last season.
The victory kept Stanford unbeaten in NorPac play and in sole possession of first place in the NorPac West Division. The Cardinal is one-half game ahead of California (9-4, 4-1) with the teams scheduled to meet in a showdown on the final day of the regular season in Berkeley next Saturday, October 27 (1:00 p.m.). Stanford will next host Saint Louis again this Tuesday, October 23 (2:00 p.m.).
Swesey opened the game's scoring when she deflected a ball from Eleanor Morgan into the back of the goal with 12:06 remaining in the first half.
Saint Louis tied the contest at 1-1 with 33:20 remaining in the contest when Keri Brunner dribbled her way by the Stanford defense and scored unassisted for her ninth goal of the season.The Cardinal took the lead for good on a reverse sweep shot by Christina Williams with 24:35 to go. Swesey's second goal came on a penalty stroke with 19:32 remaining. Stephanie Shelton closed out the scoring, knocking in her first career goal with 8:01 left in the contest.
Stanford goalkeeper Rebecca Shapiro had her consecutive shutout string end at four games with the early second half goal by Brunner. Shapiro did record four saves.
Saint Louis goalkeeper Erin Linchan recorded a game-high 11 saves as Stanford outshot the Billikens, 25-7.
"The players from this year's senior class have been very consistent for us at Stanford," said head coach Sheryl Johnson about the five Cardinal seniors honored in a pre-game ceremony. "I wish they could play with us longer."