Oct. 26, 2007
Stanford returned to the road after a month at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium and came away victorious in Tucson with a 3-1 victory. The game was highlighted by the return of senior goalkeeper Erica Holland and Kelley O'Hara's two goals. Ali Riley also added her second goal of the season in the victory, which moved the Cardinal record to 12-2-2 and 2-1-1 in the Pac-10.
The Cardinal started off the game slowly in the first half, but their defense that has been dependable all season long picked up the slack. While Stanford was only able to get three shots on Arizona goalkeeper Halley Brown, the defense forced Kira Maker to make only one save. Lizzy George was able to get a strong attempt on net for Stanford in the first half, but the ball sailed high and over the crossbar. O'Hara was able to take an attempt on net as well, but Brown was able to smother it. The half ended with both teams knotted at zero.
Stanford made a goalkeeper change to begin the second half when senior Erica Holland returned to the field for the first time since beating Rutgers in the fifth game of the season on Sept. 9. The team seemed to be rejuvenated in the second half when they got the first four shots on net in the period. O'Hara was able to get three shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of the half, and her third shot finally broke the ice for the Cardinal.
In the 65th minute O'Hara finally connected for the Cardinal and gave the squad a 1-0 lead. The action continued when O'Hara connected on her very next shot for her second goal of the game in the 73rd minute. It was her sixth goal of the season and gave her 16 points on the season.
The Wildcats quickly responded when Jacqueline Broussard scored a goal in the 75th minute to cut the Cardinal lead in half to 2-1. The game was tight for another eight minutes, but Ali Riley put the game away with her second goal of the season in the 85th minute to make the score 3-1.
Holland made one save in her return to the field and faced a total of three shots. The Cardinal took ten shots for the game compared to the Wildcats eight. The game was physical throughout which led the teams being called for 22 fouls, 12 being called on the Wildcats and ten being called on Stanford.
Stanford will return to the field in Tempe, Ariz. when they visit the Sun Devils of Arizona State. The game will be played at Soccer Stadium and will begin at 1:00 p.m.