March 5, 2006
Stanford, Calif. - The Cardinal women's lacrosse team downed the No. 13 Vanderbilt Commodores this afternoon in a solid showing at Maloney Field. Six Cardinal players registered goals as Stanford overpowered the American Lacrosse Conference opponent, 15-9. Stanford improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the MPSF, while the Commodores fall to 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in the ALC.
The Cardinal got on the board first, as junior Michelle DeChant sent a well-placed pass from Daphne Patterson behind Commodore goalkeeper Brooke Shinaberry. Vanderbilt responded on the next possession, however, as senior captain Kate Hickman netted a goal for the Commodores. In the 15th minute, the teams again traded points, as Sarah Bach's goal was matched by a successful free position shot by Margie Curran. The Cardinal, however, broke the stalemate with a 5-1 run over the following 12-minute span. Bach and senior Megan Burker led the Cardinal on the streak, with two goals apiece. The Commodores managed to score once more before halftime, but the Cardinal would go into the break leading 7-4.
DeChant opened the second half just as she had the first, netting her second goal of the afternoon less than 30 seconds after resuming play. After another free position goal by Curran, the Cardinal rallied for their second 5-1 scoring run of the match, giving Stanford a seven-goal lead. At the 11:29 mark, the Commodores threatened a comeback, scoring two goals in just over a minute. The effort was stifled however by a goal by Bach, quickly followed by an unassisted goal by Jessica Verrilli to give the Cardinal its largest lead of the game. Vanderbilt managed a final goal with 33 seconds remaining but the Cardinal finished the match with a comfortable six-goal lead.
Stanford was led in scoring by Bach who netted a career-high six goals in the game, tying for the highest single-game tally by a Cardinal player. Burker also put up an outstanding performance, registering three goals and three assists in her third multiple-goal performance of the season. The Cardinal scoring was rounded out by two goals each from Patterson and DeChant and single goals from Verrilli and junior Liz Piselli. The Commodores were led by the four goals of sophomore Margie Curran.
The victory marks the first Cardinal win over a ranked opponent this season, after a double-overtime loss to No. 17 Notre Dame last week. The win was only the second in history over the Commodores, improving Stanford to 2-3 overall against the program and avenging a one-goal loss in last year's meeting in Nashville.
Stanford will return to the field next weekend, with afternoon home games against Columbia and Saint Mary's. The Cardinal will take on the Lions on Saturday and the Gaels on Sunday. Both matches are set to take place at Maloney Field at 1 p.m.