Aug. 23, 2007
STANFORD, Calif. - The Stanford men's soccer team got its first taste of action for the 2007 season in Thursday night's exhibition contest against the Denver Pioneers. Despite dropping a 1-0 decision at Maloney Field, the Cardinal got a much-needed tuneup as 23 players saw playing time in the match.
Both teams engaged in a physical contest that showcased both defenses, as Cardinal goalkeepers Andrew Kartunen (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and John Moore (Chino Hills, Calif.) each made two saves in a half of action apiece, while a trio of Denver goalkeepers combined for three saves.
But it was the Pioneers who broke through for the match's only score in the 42nd minute, as midfielder Colby Pearce found some room near the top-right corner of the penalty area, took a cross from Collin Audley and buried a strike past a reaching Kartunen and into the upper-left corner of the net.
Tom Montgomery (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Michael Strickland (Davis, Calif.) each put a shot on frame in the first half for the Cardinal, but could not break through.
Stanford put out a fresh 11 for the second half, and produced a pair of shots while holding the Pioneers scoreless over the final 45 minutes.
The Cardinal plays its final exhibition contest Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Maloney Field, taking on the Sacramento State Hornets. Stanford's 2007 regular-season home opener is also scheduled for next Friday night, August 31, at 7 p.m., as the Cardinal host the defending national champion and No. 1-ranked UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Maloney Field.