Oct. 9, 2009
Stanford, Calif. - No. 23 Stanford remained perfect at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium this season with a 1-0 win over Oregon State on Friday night. The Cardinal improved to 7-2-0 overall and evened their record to 1-1-0 in Pac-10 play. An early goal by Bobby Warshaw and some stout defending was enough for Stanford in its Pac-10 home opener.
The game was played at a high intensity by both teams with neither wanting to give up any ground early in the Pac-10 season.
"Oregon State fought like lions and made the game very difficult for us," said Head Coach Bret Simon. "This felt like more of a playoff type game."
The Cardinal jumped to an early lead when Warshaw scored on a free kick from the top of the box. The free kick was set up by a hustling Adam Jahn who pressured Oregon State keeper Steve Spangler for a loose ball at the top of the box, forcing Spangler to use his hands just over the line.
The goal by Warshaw was his team-leading fourth. He continues to find ways to find the back of the net, even after his move to central defense in 2009.
Warshaw also had Stanford's next best chance in the 11th minute when he beat the keeper with a header off a cross, but it was cleared off the line by an Oregon State defender.
The early goal provided a cushion for Stanford, but it was the defending that won the season.
"This was the best defending we have had all year," said Simon.
Along with Warshaw, center back T.J. Novak came up big all game to thwart the Beaver attack. Outside defenders Hunter Gorskie and Ryan Thomas, as well as holding midfielder Michael Strickland formed the cohesive unit that recorded their fifth shutout of the game.
The shutout was also the 14th in the career of goalkeeper John Moore. Moore recorded four saves, but was perhaps more valuable controlling the Oregon State aerial attack by coming out and intercepting crosses.
Stanford continues Pac-10 play when it hosts Washington on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 1:00 pm. The Cardinal will look to extend their winning streak to six games at Cagan Stadium.