March 26, 2005
In what was possibly the most physical and emotional game for the Cardinal (11-4, 4-2) since the season began in February, No. 3 Stanford remained Champions despite a 6-5 loss to No.2 USC (15-3, 6-1). This was the second matchup between the Trojans and Cardinal, who last played at the UC Santa Barbara Invitational one month ago.
Stanford's Scotti Shafer started for the Cardinal and only :14 seconds into the first quarter of play, scored the first goal. Just over a minute later, sophomore Katie Hansen was left with an opportunity when Stanford was in a 6-on-5 situation, and fired an outside shot that captured Stanford's second goal in the first 1:30 of play.
Two minutes later, USC's Lauren Wenger managed a goal, but :45 seconds later the Cardinal responded with yet another goal from Shafer, who took advantage of a key 6-on-5 opportunity for Stanford.
In the second quarter, USC gained a goal from a 6-on-5 oppportunity on the Cardinal, and found yet another outside shot to tie the game at 3-3 with 3:44 left in the second quarter. Senior captain Hannah Luber then made a clutch goal from inside, just after USC goalie had blocked a shot from sophomore Christina Hewko. Luber managed to pick up the ball with despite the clash from two USC defenders, and did a tip shot in past USC goalie Sarah Mix.
USC then managed to get a 4-meter penalty, but an amazing block by sophomore goalie standout Meridith McColl sent the crowd and the Cardinal cheering. USC still managed a goal with 1:54 on the clock, but Stanford's Hansen sunk a skip shot in that was a result of a 4-meter penalty called on USC to bring the Cardinal ahead 5-4 at the half.
One minute into the first half, USC scored the lone goal of the fourth quarter, to end the game at 5-5. Two physical periods of overtime play resulted, with Brittany Hayes scoring the winning goal that was first blocked by two Cardinal players before bouncing in, making the final score 5-6 for the Cardinal.
Perhaps what was most valiant about the Cardinal effort was what didn't show up in the stats or on the scoreboard. Every Cardinal player had multiple shot-blocks in the field, and the Cardinal's star defender, junior 2-M Laurel Champion, managed to prevent USC's top 2-M player from getting a single decent shot.
The Cardinal are away next weekend for a game against UOP in Stockton at 12:00 pm on Saturday, April 9th. Stanford's next home game is April 15th at 7:00 PM against No. 1 UCLA.
Stats for the Cardinal:
Goals: Shafer (2), Hansen (2), Luber H.
Saves: McColl (7).
Stats for the Trojans:
Goals: Figge (2), Hayes (2), Pardo, Wenger.
Saves: Mix (10).