Feb. 12, 2009
STANFORD, Calif. - No. 18 Stanford scored 16 first-half goals on the way to a 20-1 home-opening victory over first-year Fresno State in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation women's lacrosse game Thursday night at Cagan Stadium.
Karen Nesbitt led Stanford (2-0, 2-0) with three goals and an assist, and was one of 13 Cardinal players to score. Fresno State (0-2, 0-2) scored the first goal in the program's history with 4:21 left in the game when Heather Jack scored unassisted from close-range for the final margin. The ball was removed from play and delivered to the Bulldogs' bench.
"Our biggest plan was to play our game and focus on us," Stanford co-captain Bess Siegfried said. "We really respect what Fresno is doing. It's really good for West Coast lacrosse."
The goal prevented Stanford's first shutout in nearly 10 years. As it was the single-goal allowed was the fewest since that same game, a 16-0 victory over Saint Mary's on March 6, 1999.
It didn't take long for Stanford to take control - 10 seconds, in fact. Lauren Schmidt won the opening faceoff, with Karen Nesbitt earning the draw control and passing to Schmidt. She, in turn, found Sarah Flynn for the quick first goal.
Stanford would go on to score three goals in the first minute and 10 in the first 10 minutes, prompting a running clock the remainder of the game. NCAA rules mandate a running clock with a 10-goal margin. Stanford would outshoot the Bulldogs, 27-4.
"We're a different team this year," Siegfried said. "We have any of seven players on the field who are scoring threats. If you mark a player out of the game, someone else will be able to contribute."
The victory was the first at home for first-year Stanford coach Amy Bokker, who coached at George Mason for the past 11 years.
The task will be much tougher next week when Stanford first plays host to Albany, on Tuesday (6 p.m.) and then No. 2 Syracuse on Friday (3 p.m.).
"We're trying to work on our ball possession," Bokker said. "We concentrated on sharp passes, limiting our fouls and keeping the ball, and we did well. And we certainly never want to overlook an opponent, especially one that's doing so much for the growth of the game."
The scoring summary:
Stanford 20, Fresno State 1
Fresno State 0 1 - 1
Stanford 16 4 - 20
STAN - Goals: Karen Nesbitt 3, Sarah Flynn 2, Jamie Nesbitt 2, Maggie Sachs 2, Amanda Schwab 2, Dana Lindsay 2, Claire Hubbard, Leslie Foard, Bess Siegfried, Emilie Boeri, Julie Christy, Anna Boeri, Ilyssa McIntyre. Assists: Lauren Schmidt 3, Claire Hubbard 2, Emilie Boeri, Julie Christy, Sarah Flynn, Leslie Foard, Jamie Nesbitt, Karen Nesbitt, Bess Siegfried.
FSU - Goal: Heather Jack. Assists: none.
Goalie decisions - Annie Read (Stan) 2-0; Diana Aguilar (FSU) 0-2.
Records - Stanford 2-0, 2-0; Fresno State 0-2, 0-2.