Sept. 3, 2002
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford (2-0) recorded its second consecutive shutout to open the season with a 2-0 victory over Rutgers (0-3) in a non-conference game at the Varsity Field Hockey Turf on Tuesday. Noor Dawood scored for the second straight game with an unassisted goal in traffic just before halftime at 34:29, while Keely Machmer-Wessels picked up her first goal of the season on an assist by Christina Williams at 45:24. Stanford goalkeepers Emily Zander and Ana Kralovec combined for the shutout for the second straight game.
Stanford begins a season-long eight-game road trip versus Albany this Thursday, September 5 (7 pm, ET). The game will be the first of three Stanford games to be played in Syracuse, New York. The Cardinal will also play at Syracuse on Friday, September 6 (3 pm, ET) and versus New Hampshire on Sunday, September 8 (1 pm, ET) to complete the first leg of the road trip.
"It is definitely a confidence booster to start out the season with a pair of victories, because we have a lot of tough games coming up on this road trip," said head coach Sheryl Johnson. "Our defense has played solidly and shown its experience. Offensively, Noor Dawood has played well."
"This is a great way to start off the season," added Dawood. "Everybody has a lot of hope for this team."
Stanford outshot Rutgers, 22-4.
Kralovec played the second half of the game in the net and tallied a pair of saves, while Zander recorded one in a scoreless first half. Rutgers goalkeeper Stacey Gaenzle stopped 12 Cardinal shots.
Ohio State (2-1) and California (1-1) also played at the Varsity Field Hockey Turf on Tuesday. Ohio State squeezed out a 1-0 overtime victory when Mariana Solorzano blasted in a shot on a penalty corner at 73:56. Stacey Todd and Vanessa Immordino were credited with assists on the play.
The Buckeyes and the Golden Bears were scoreless through regulation. Ohio State goalkeeper Lara Koole recorded just one save to record the shutout as Ohio State outshot California, 15-4. California goalkeeper Kelly Knapp stopped eight shots.
After the eight consecutive road games, Stanford will next be in action at home versus Iowa on Sunday, September 22 (1 pm, PT).