Nov. 17, 2006
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford women's soccer team's postseason run ended tonight, as the squad dropped a shootout decision to the No. 21 Clemson Tigers in the NCAA Third Round. The Cardinal battled the Tigers through 110 minutes of play, and out-shot them 18-3, but lost the battle of penalty kicks, 4-2. Stanford finishes the season with a 15-6-2 overall record, while Clemson advances on its third-straight shootout and heads to the Quarterfinal Round with an 11-7-5 mark.
The Cardinal took control of the game from the start, and less than three minutes in, had its first scoring opportunity. Kelley O'Hara collected a ball off of a Clemson defender and made a one-on-one break for the goal, but the freshman's shot went just wide.
In the 26th minute, the Cardinal threatened with a pair of corner kick opportunities. On the second try, O'Hara's shot was blocked before senior Shari Summers sent a ball at the goal that went just wide.
O'Hara broke past the Clemson defense for another one-on-one chance in the 36th minute. The freshman cracked a shot at Ashley Phillips, but the Tiger goalkeeper was in position to make the save.
In the 39th minute, Lea MacKinnon sent a blast at the net from the right side, but the ball hit the left post and was cleared by the Tiger defense.
Stanford finished the first half with a 10-1 advantage in shots, but the score remained 0-0.
In the second half, the Cardinal continued to dominate the possession and pressure the Clemson defense. Stanford added six shots and took three more corner kicks, but was unable to find the back of the net.
Freshmen Alicia Jenkins and Ali Riley both took shots in the first overtime period, but the Clemson defense denied both attempts. The Tigers' Julie Bolt took the only shot of the second overtime period, but her long attempt was saved by Stanford goalkeeper Erica Holland.
Shari Summers and Kristin Stannard drilled in the first two penalty kick attempts for the Cardinal, but they were matched by blasts from Clemson's Nuria Zufia and Molly Johnson. The following attempt by Kelley Birch was saved by Phillips and Molly Franklin put in an attempt to give the Tigers the advantage. After a Rachel Buehler shot hit the bottom of the crossbar, Elizabeth Jobe drilled in the game-winner for the Tigers.
The Stanford defense posted its 15th shutout of the season, and held the Tigers to just two shots on goal. Ali Riley led the Cardinal offense with a career-high five shots.