Oct. 19, 2007
No. 2 Stanford faced their toughest test of the season, but wasn't able to figure out All-American goalkeeper Valerie Henderson in their 2-0 loss Friday night at Laird Q. Cagan stadium. The match was close for the whole game, and the two best teams in the nation put on a great show for the capacity crowd. The Cardinal now fall to 10-2-1 on the season and 1-1 in Pac-10 play. The Bruins now stand at 10-1-2 on the season and 3-0 in the Pac-10.
The Cardinal got a great chance in the 13th minute when sophomore Kelley O'Hara received a cross from freshman Christen Press. O'Hara then sent the ball into the top left portion of the net, but Henderson of UCLA was able to dive to make the save and keep the score knotted at 0. About a minute later, UCLA had a great chance of their own when freshman Kylie Wright drove a ball towards Stanford goalkeeper Kira Maker. Maker ranged left and smothered the shot, to record her only save of the night.
In the 37th minute, UCLA broke through when Lauren Cheney received a crossing pass in the middle of the goalkeeper box and fell to the ground. The official awarded her with a penalty shot after calling a foul and she was able to convert to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. In a game that was filled with lots of physical play, it was a difficult call for the Stanford faithful to stomach.
UCLA held that 1-0 lead for most of the match. Sophomore Ali Riley showed off her speed on more than one occasion, but the stout Bruin defense was tough on the Cardinal forwards. Sophomore Kristin Stannard had the best Cardinal scoring chance in the 54th minute, but the ball sailed just wide of the goal and kept the Stanford deficit at 1-0.
In the 75th minute, UCLA junior Christina DiMartino received a pass from Cheney and made a quick move left in the middle of the field and powered a shot that was placed very well in the top right portion of the net. The goal gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead, which turned out to be the final score of the evening.
UCLA only out shot the Cardinal 10-8 in the match, and Stanford only allowed two shots on goal the entire match to the top-ranked Bruins.
The Cardinal will return to the field when they host No. 10 USC on Sunday at Laird Q. Cagan stadium in a match that will begin at 1:00 p.m.