Nov. 17, 2001
Denver Head Coach Jeff Hooker
On the progress of his team against Pac-10 teams (played UCLA early in season):
They've come a long way. I think early on, in the first four games of the season, we were still trying to find out who we are. To play a team that good at that time was a little bit more than we could handle before we had things settled down. I think once we found out what style we were going to play and that we were actually a good team, we could knock the ball around. The more we kept playing the same way, the more cohesiveness we had and the better our results were. I think that really helped us prepare for a game like today.
On first NCAA appearance:
To come into somebody's house here, our whole thing was we didn't want to let them get behind us, and we did that. If you look at the goals we gave up, it was a scramble - it can either get kicked out or it goes in. It was just very unfortunate for us to give up a goal in that manner. I'd prefer if we give up a goal it would be a cross and a first-time header or a volley. I guess you could call it a scrappy goal. Then the penalty kick, you can either call it or not call it and he (the referee) chose to call it.
Denver player Angie Portincaso
On the first goal:
It was off a free kick. We blocked it out originally, but then it got crossed back in to the far post and we were all pushed to one side. When it got crossed back in, it found the open player on the far side of the field. Erica (Izard, goalkeeper) saved the first shot, and then it bounced back out. They got another shot off, and I think that was the one I blocked. Then there was another one that came in, and we just couldn't get that one out.
Denver goalkeeper Erica Izard
On Denver's defense:
As far as I'm concerned, I play behind the best defense in the country.
Thoughts on next year, coming back to the tournament:
We'll be back.
Stanford Head Coach Andy Nelson
Opening statement:
We obviously were pleased with our performance tonight. We've had a pretty tricky draw. It's always nice to be at home, I felt that that went well for us. I felt the team played well, especially after the first 30 minutes or so. I think we really started to take control of the game then. We defended well, Denver only had one or two chances. So I was pleased with the performance.
Did you get a chance to look at Saint Mary's:
A little bit. We played them earlier in the year so we kind of had a good look at them already. They're very well organized, a very strong team, and they're a tough team to play.
What do you have to do differently this time against Saint Mary's (0-0 tie in first meeting):
I think we have to move the ball very quickly against them. I thought we did that well tonight. They're a tough team to break down, so we'll need to create plenty of opportunities.
Stanford player Marcia Wallis
On what Stanford has to do against Saint Mary's:
Seeing as how their team is so organized in the back, it's important that we involve the whole team, move the ball around, get it wide, get it in and get everyone involved.
Stanford player Natalie Sanderson
On her goal:
I think Marcia (Wallis) had initially shot it, and then it bounced around and it seemed like at least six players touched it. My shot was just a follow-up. It's good to be hungry when you're in the box. We all wanted to get it in at that point, and it was good to get that first goal on the board and get comfortable.
Stanford player Becky Myers
Did you feel the need to get this win after having somewhat of a bad streak at the end of the year (tie and a loss last weekend):
I think we just look at NCAAs as a brand new season now. We weren't exactly frustrated with how we played last weekend, but with the results. But we can look at this as a fresh start.