Sept. 5, 2008
BERKELEY, Calif. - Stanford allowed two goals in the first four minutes and never was able to work itself back into the game against a good team on a hot day.
The result: a 2-0 loss to No. 7 SMU in the opening match of the Cal Legacy Classic at Edwards Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Cardinal (0-1-1) got itself into trouble in the second minute when Shaun Culver tried to clear a crossing pass from SMU's Jeff Harwell toward Manuel Mariel, but instead miskicked it into his own net.
Another misplayed ball in Stanford's defensive end gave SMU another chance, culminating in a penalty kick after Gabe Arredondo was brought down by Stanford's Brant Bishop. Paulo da Silva converted the spot kick for a 2-0 lead with only 3:26 elapsed.
"We really stepped on our own toes and did it on a warm day against a good technical ball-possession team," Stanford Coach Bret Simon said. "It's a bad place to be in, because you have to chase the game."
In its first two matches, Stanford has allowed three goals and all have come in the first five minutes.
Stanford played SMU (3-0), ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA coaches' poll, to a standstill the rest of the way, but never was able to get a shot on goal.
The Cardinal did some good work in the penalty area at times, once on Bobby Warshaw's reverse move that freed up Tom Montgomery, but the senior was unable to get a strong touch on the ball.
In all, Stanford had six shots, to 10 for SMU.
John Moore made four saves, including two of the diving variety, and came out aggressively to tackle the ball away on an SMU breakaway, 25 yards from the goal.
"You can't fault him on either goal," Simon said. "He's certainly been a bright spot for us."
The Cardinal continues play in the tournament with its home opener on Sunday (1 p.m.) against Cornell, at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, and will have Michael Strickland back. The junior midfielder had to sit out the SMU match because of an earlier red card.
SMU 2 0 - 2
STAN 0 2 - 0
SMU - own goal, 2nd minute; da Silva (penalty), 4th minute.
Records - Stanford 0-1-1, SMU 3-0.