Sept. 21, 2002
Stockton, Calif. - Stanford (5-5, 1-0 NorPac) opened its conference schedule with a 2-1 victory over Pacific (1-5, 0-1 NorPac) and extended its string of victories in conference openers to six dating back to 1997. Stanford has now also won 11 of its last 13 games versus NorPac opponents dating back to 2001.
"Our tough preseason schedule really helps us get ready for conference action," said Stanford head coach Sheryl Johnson. "All of our games are important, but we know that winning our conference and the conference tournament will get us in the NCAA's."
Amrit Chima broke open a scoreless tie when she converted a penalty stroke early in the second half at 43:50 to give the Cardinal a 1-0 lead. Christina Williams followed with an unassisted goal just over four minutes later at 47:57 to give the Cardinal a 2-0 advantage.
Stanford would need the extra score when Pacific's Alexandra Fiorina netted an unassisted goal with only seven seconds remaining at 69:53 for the final 2-1 margin.
Stanford goalkeeper Emily Zander blanked the Tigers in the first half. Ana Kralovec earned the victory by playing the entire second half and shutting out the Tigers for the first 34:53 before Fiorina's goal. Kralovec recorded Stanford's only save. Pacific goalkeeper Gina Sadler picked up a pair of saves.
The Cardinal edged the Tigers in shots, 8-4.
Stanford's victory was just its second in the last seven contests overall in a game that concluded the team's season-long eight-game road stretch.
Stanford returns home versus Iowa on Sunday (1 pm, PT). The Cardinal return to NorPac action by hosting Pacific on Saturday, September 28 (1 pm, PT).