Sept. 4, 2009
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Returning first-team All-America Lindsay Taylor scored for the first time this season to give the No. 4 Stanford women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over UNC Greensboro on Friday night in the opening match of the Spartan Classic.
Taylor, who scored 16 goals last year as a freshman, had been slowed during training camp with a virus and hadn't started until Friday's match.
Her goal came in the 52nd minute when Kelley O'Hara sent in a cross that Mariah Nogueira met with a header. Her shot was blocked by goalkeeper Kelsey Kearney, but Taylor tapped in the rebound for the score. The assist was the third of the season for Nogueira, the freshman defensive midfielder.
"The goal was exceptional," Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe said. "It was a good win against a well-organized team."
Stanford (4-0) outshot the Spartans 15-4, and held an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. The shot total was the least of the season for the Cardinal, who had averaged 35 in its first three matches.
However, the Cardinal kept up its defensive pressure and continues to hold opponents to an average of only four shots per match. Cardinal goalkeeper Kira Maker was not required to make a save in earning first shutout of the season and the 17th of her career, which moves her into sole possession of fifth on Stanford's all-time list.
Junior midfielder Allison McCann, who played a key role off the bench during Stanford's five-goal run during a 5-2 comeback victory over San Diego State last week, received her first start of the season and had two shots as the Cardinal forced Kearney into making five saves.
Greensboro (1-3), the 2008 Southern Conference regular season champion, received a blow in its comeback attempt when a red card forced the Spartans to play down for the final 32 minutes of the match.
Stanford next plays 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifier Virginia Tech, on Sunday, final day of the tournament, at 9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT). The Hokies (3-1) beat Virginia Commonwealth, 4-3, in overtime on Friday.