Sept. 11, 2009
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford men's soccer team improved to 2-1-0 with a 3-2 win over Cal Poly (0-3-0) from Laird Q. Cagan Stadium on Friday night. The Cardinal used their new found offensive firepower to defeat a game Cal Poly team that continued to come back from adversity.
"I am thrilled about the win," said head coach Bret Simon. "I am convinced Cal Poly will be one of the top teams in the West Coast by the end of the season. I thought we played with consistency and effort tonight, which is good."
The Cardinal jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Evan Morgan found Adam Jahn in the fourth minute. The goal for Jahn was the first of his young Stanford career, which figures to see many more goals for the two-time Gatorade California High School Player of the Year.
Morgan broke free and slid the ball threw to Jahn, who shot low and into the corner for the early goal.
Stanford continued their strong first half when in the 30th minute Eric Anderson fought for and eventually won a ball in the corner. The freshman who was seeing his first collegiate minutes then carried the ball with his dribble towards the box before finding an open Dominique Yahyavi. Yahyavi used just one touch to deposit the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the first of the season for Yahyavai and the second of his career.
After taking a 2-0 lead to half, it appeared the lead would hold up as physical play dominated the second half. In the 82nd minute, Cal Poly's Jose Garcia was sent off after a rough tackle on Dersu Abolfathi.
However, despite playing a man down, the Mustangs did not quit and in the 83rd minute pulled to within one when David Zamora beat John Moore with an unassisted goal.
The Cardinal responded almost immediately when a long ball found Yahyavi streaking to the corner. Yahyavi then took on the Cal Poly defender with and beat him to create space for a centering pass. Waiting on the other end of the pass was Morgan who went to the top corner for the third Stanford goal.
It was the second goal of the season for Morgan the eighth of his career. It also gave both Morgan and Yahyavi a goal and an assist in the game.
The three goals for Stanford were the most since a 4-2 win over Washington on Nov. 7 of last year. The Cardinal have now scored six goals in their first three games, something that took nine games to accomplish in 2008.
"The three goals are nice," said Simon. "We needed them today, but I think our offense is starting to catch up."
The second two goal lead of the game did not dissuade the Mustangs who less than two minutes later made it a 3-2 game. Cameron Walters scored off a corner with Ray Jackson being credited with the assist.
The second Mustang goal would conclude the scoring for the night as Stanford shored up the defense and did not allow another good chance from Cal Poly. Moore finished with two saves and improved his record in goal to 2-1 on the season.
Stanford outshot Cal Poly 14-10 in a game that had 38 fouls between the two teams.
Next up for the Cardinal will be Santa Clara as part of the Bay Area Classic. The game will be played on Thurs., Sept. 17, at 7:00 pm, from Buckshaw Stadium. Stanford will then return home to face San Francisco as a part of the same tournament on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 7:00 pm, from Cagan Stadium.