Oct. 3, 2008
SEATTLE, Wash. - The Stanford men's soccer team suffered its fourth consecutive loss. All by one goal, all on second-half winners.
This time, it happened in a rainy Pacific-10 Conference opener Friday at Washington, by a 1-0 count.
Husky freshman Casey McCool unleashed a 12-yard shot into the upper corner in the 77th minute for his first collegiate goal.
The losing streak is the longest for Stanford (2-5-1, 0-1) since 2005, and its series of one-goal losses is its longest since 1988.
"We're just having trouble scoring goals," Stanford coach Bret Simon said. "We're showing confidence in our play, we're playing hard and we're creating good chances. We're almost unlucky to not get an unlucky goal."
Indeed, Stanford has been held to one goal in its past four matches, though it had two second-half chances on scrambles in front of the net that were so tantalizing that a goal seemed almost inevitable.
Stanford had a first-half scare, but escaped unscathed. Referee Alex Gorin pointed to the penalty spot after a Tim Jones foul on the outskirts of the penalty area, but the linesman had a closer look and the ball was placed just outside, resulting in a harmless shot.
In the second half, Washington (6-3, 1-0) had a Brent Richards header hit the crossbar, and Stanford goalkeeper John Moore punched away a dipping shot seemingly headed toward the upper corner.
Redshirt freshman Garrett Gunther received his first collegiate start and played 62 minutes for Stanford. Up front, Bobby Warshaw and Tom Montgomery combined for three of the Cardinal's eight shots. In the second half, Montgomery moved back to provide ball-winning energy in midfield and freshman Cullen Wilson played a career-high 25 minutes as a second-half replacement at forward, getting off one shot.
Now, the Cardinal must regroup before another Pac-10 match, at Oregon State, on Sunday (1 p.m.).
"The players and coaches are really frustrated right now," Stanford coach Bret Simon said. "The main thing is, we really have nothing to lose, and the players are really fighting hard for each other. And that's all you can ask for. You fight together and let the chips fall where they may."
Washington 1, Stanford 0
Stanford 0 0 - 0
Washington 0 1 - 1
W - McCool (unassisted), 77th.
Records - Stanford 2-5-1, 0-1; Washington 6-3, 1-0.