Sept. 25, 2009
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford continued its strong start to the 2009 season with a 3-2 win over Air Force from Laird Q. Cagan on Friday evening. The Cardinal improved to 5-1-0 in taking their first game of the Stanford Nike Classic.
Despite trailing 1-0 early in the match, the Cardinal battled back to dominate play and score three consecutive goals. However, a late goal by Air Force made things interesting, before Stanford held on for the win.
"This was a game against a quality opponent that played hard," said head coach Bret Simon. "We had them on the ropes and nearly let them off, but it is a good win against a good team."
Air Force took the lead in the 18th minute when Steven Noller took a through ball into open space and went one on one with John Moore. The Falcon lead would be short-lived, however as Stanford responded almost immediately.
Just five minutes later an Air Force foul in its own box set up a Stanford penalty kick. Bobby Warshaw lined up for the shot and finished the goal despite hitting the inside of the post. The goal was the second of the season for Warshaw.
The Cardinal continued to put the pressure on and took the lead in the 31st minute. Daniel Leon won a ball in the midfield and carried his dribble towards the goal. He then laid the ball of to Adam Jahn, who struck it first time for his second goal of the year.
Stanford continued to put the pressure on, but settled for a one goal lead at half. The Cardinal outshot Air Force 13-3 in the first half and had three corners.
In the 51st minute the Cardinal would add another tally, this time coming on a free kick. Michael Strickland stood over the ball looking for the correct play. Strickland saw the opportunity and then called it, yelling "WARSHAW" as he played perfect driving ball to the back post where a speeding Warshaw finished the goal with a diving header.
The goal was perhaps the prettiest of the season and a tribute to the talents of a pair of returning All-Pac-10 players.
The two goal lead proved to be troublesome for the Cardinal as Air Force began to hits its stride late in the game. Jared Gomez found the back of the net in the 63rd minute to make it a 3-2 game.
The rest of regulation saw action at both ends with Air Force looking for the equalizer and Stanford looking to put the game out of reach. However, the score would not change and Stanford earned a hard fought, 3-2 victory.
Next, the Cardinal will wrap up the Stanford Nike Classic on Sunday, Sept. 27, when they face New Mexico. The Lobos also had a strong start to the tournament, defeating Cal 2-1 in the opener. Due to Friday's results, the Sunday match between Stanford and New Mexico will be for the tournament title.