March 2, 2008
Stanford, Calif. - To establish lacrosse on the west coast you have to go out and beat the best. Stanford women's lacrosse took a step in the right direction Sunday, when they took out No. 10 Notre Dame 13-9 at Laird Q. Cagan stadium in front of a national audience on CSTV. Senior Megan McClain led the way for the Cardinal with four goals, and senior All-American goalkeeper Laura Shane recorded 17 saves and allowed only three second half goals in the victory.
The game got off to a furious start when the teams traded goals every minute for the first four minutes of the game. McClain scored her first goal just one minute into the game, but Irish attacker Gina Scioscia quickly responded with a goal of her own at the 28:09 mark of the first half to tie the score at one apiece. Junior Jamie Nesbitt scored her only goal of the afternoon at the 27:16 mark of the first half, but Jillian Byers scored her first of four goals four minutes in and the score was deadlocked at two apiece.
After seven minutes of no scoring, freshman Karen Nesbitt got on the board at the 19:00 mark. Notre Dame quickly retaliated with two more goals and held a 4-3 lead with 14:00 minutes left in the first half. It was at this point where Stanford took control of the match when they scored five of the next six goals to take a commanding 8-5 lead. McClain scored two more goals in the run and freshman Sarah Flynn continued her strong rookie season with a goal as well. Sophomore Dana Lindsay scored a goal just five minutes before halftime and the Cardinal held an 8-6 lead at the break.
Stanford further exerted their will in the second half when they allowed the high-scoring Irish to just three goals in the second half. Shane recorded six of her saves in the frame, which was keyed by Stanford's strong ball control all 30 minutes. The Cardinal also scored the first four goals of half with redshirt sophomore Bess Siegfried starting the scoring just 30 seconds into the half. Lindsay scored her second goal of the match two minutes later and Karen Nesbitt scored her second goal at the 25:52 mark. After McClain scored her fourth goal at the 20:37 mark of the second half, the Cardinal held a 12-6 lead and was in full control of the match.
Flynn added another goal with two minutes left and the Cardinal was able to coast to a 13-9 victory after Byers added two more goals for the Irish. Both goalkeepers were very busy in the contest with Notre Dame firing 33 shots and Stanford taking 30 of its own.
The Cardinal quickly returns to the field when it takes on Boston College on Wednesday, Mar. 5 at 3:30 p.m. at Laird Q. Cagan stadium.