Oct. 14, 2008
Gandhi Assists In 3-0 Rout Of Davidson Junior Pan American Games Gandhi To Compete At Junior Pan American Games
STANFORD, Calif.- The Stanford field hockey squad was happy to see sophomore Camille Gandhi leave.
Her teammates were even more excited to welcome her back.
Stanford suffered back-to-back one-goal losses on the road last weekend, clearly missing the services of Gandhi, the 2007 NorPac Rookie of the Year and one of the club's top offensive threats.
But Gandhi was presented an opportunity that was too good to pass up. She was selected to participate with the USA U-21 National Team at the 2008 Junior Pan American Games in Mexico City from Oct. 5-12. Competing in an eight-nation international tournament is a prestigious honor that doesn't come across too often.
So Gandhi watched her teammates head off to Boston for a pair of non-league games while she joined her new club in Mexico City. Not content with just making the squad, Gandhi made an immediate impact and ultimately led her team- and country- to victory.
In the gold medal match against Chile, the United States recorded a 2-1 overtime victory with Gandhi scoring the game-winner in the 74th minute.
"It was a straight strike off the short corner," said Gandhi, describing the game's final play. "We had one corner before that and it went wrong, so the coach called a straight strike from the sidelines and I just shot it."
Gandhi started four of the five games and scored three goals overall, with the first two coming in a 21-0 rout of Bermuda in the opener.
"That was the best field hockey I have ever played in my life," said Gandhi. "It was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had. I love the team, I love the coaches and it was just phenomenal. I will always remember everyone running out on the field, jumping on me, winning the gold and singing the anthem."
Gandhi returned home on Monday night, just in time for Stanford's home match against Davidson the following day.
Having dropped four of its last five games, the Cardinal needed a spark and welcomed Gandhi's return. She did not disappoint, assisting on two of Stanford's three goals in a 3-0 rout of the Wildcats.
Gandhi has played in 11 games so far this year and leads Stanford in shot attempts (36) and assists (7). Her 11 points rank second on the squad and she has scored twice.
Stanford is back in action on Sunday, Oct. 19, hosting UC Davis. The Cardinal has two league matches remaining following an Oct. 24 matchup at California.