Sept. 16, 2010
San Francisco, Calif. - Stanford played its fifth consecutive one-goal game, but this time the result was different. Dominique Yahyavi scored in the 86th minute of a scoreless game to earn its first win of the season. The Cardinal improved to 1-4 after the tough, hard-fought effort that gives the team something to build on.
"This was a big win over a talented, physical team," said head coach Bret Simon. "Hopefully this will get us going so we can get this thing turned around."
For 85 minutes the game went scoreless on wet, foggy night in San Francisco. The weather seemed to lead to an especially physical brand of soccer with the teams combining for 30 fouls and six yellow cards.
Unlike the last four games, this time Stanford would be the team that continued to fight and earned the game-winner. The goal came when Adoni Levine won a ball in the middle of the field and turned towards goal as the Cardinal had a numbers advantage. Alexander Binnie sprinted from the right wing to create space for a diagonal ball from Levine. Levine put it right on Binnie's foot, who played the ball across the goal to Yahyavi. The Cardinal senior used just one touch to finish his first goal of the season for the biggest moment of the young Stanford season.
The goal instigated a spirited celebration from the Stanford bench who sensed its misfortune in the first four games was over. The Cardinal will now have a gigantic momentum swing on its side to build for the rest of the season.
Stanford was outshot 15-5 for the game, but controlled possession to make the game very evenly played. Bobby Warshaw had a pair of dangerous shots the were deflected wide, including a free kick that seemed to be heading on goal.
Redshirt freshman Jason Dodson earned his first career shutout making six saves. He was also active in controlling the aerial game of USF by coming off his line to intercept crosses.
The Cardinal will conclude the Bay Area Classic against a second consecutive West Coast Conference team. Stanford hosts Santa Clara, Sunday night at 6pm, under the lights at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.