Sept. 19, 2010
Stanford, Calif. - Whatever the issue was early on in the season, Stanford seems to have solved things as the Cardinal dominated Santa Clara for a 4-1 victory Sunday night at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The Cardinal improved to 2-4-0 with the win and earned co-champion honors at the Bay Area Classic. California also beat USF and Santa Clara over the weekend to share the title.
"I was pleased with our perseverance this weekend," said head coach Bret Simon. "This team has shown no quit, even after such a tough beginning to the season."
Stanford scored early and often, notching its top scoring effort since November 11 of 2008, when it also scored four goals in a win over Washington. Dominique Yahyavi led the Cardinal with two goals, while Dersu Abolfathi had a goal and an assist.
After five consecutive one-goal games to start the season, the Cardinal cruised to a big win and in the process announced that it is back to being the team that was ranked No. 13 in the nation to start the season.
"This team is in a building mode and still growing," said Simon. "We certainly gained some momentum this weekend and now have to capitalize on it going forward."
Yahyavi opened the scoring in just the 12th minute. Abolfathi won a ball in the defensive half of the field and played long ball down the center right to the foot of the streaking Yahyavi. He made one quick move to evade the charging keeper and had nothing left but an easy finish.
Moments later, the Cardinal added to its lead when Ryan Thomas played a beautiful cross off a free kick that found the head of Bobby Warshaw. Warshaw buried the header for his second goal of the season and Stanford's first two-goal lead all year.
Santa Clara did not quit, however, and in the 28th minute found a goal of its own. Brandon Zimmerman sent a bending ball into the back of the net off a free kick and the Broncos were back within one.
The goal gave Santa Clara some momentum heading into half, but Stanford quickly put an end to that, scoring just under four minutes into the second frame. This time Abolfathi chased a ball deep into the Santa Clara end and stole the ball from a defender. The Cardinal sophomore was then one-on-one with the keeper and finished his first goal of the season. His hustle in chasing the ball resulted in what would be the backbreaking goal.
The Cardinal would add a late goal as Yahyavi scored his third of the weekend. Daniel Leon won a ball deep in the Santa Clara end and found Thiago Sa Freire, who laid it off to Yahyavi. Both players were credited with an assist and Stanford had its 4-1 victory.
Jason Dodson picked up his second victory of the season in goal, making two saves. He again excelled in limiting Santa Clara's aerial game by coming off his line to intercept crosses.
The Cardinal were outshot 13-10, but made their chances count, putting six shots on frame with four finding the back of the net.
Stanford will look to keep the momentum going next weekend when it hosts the Stanford Nike Classic. The Cardinal will take on Saint Mary's on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:00 p.m., and Denver on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 1:00 p.m. A pair of wins would bring Stanford back to .500 as it enters the Pac-10 season.