Sept. 19, 2010
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Christen Press scored two first-half goals to give No. 2 Stanford a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Georgetown on Sunday at the Santa Clara Classic at Buck Shaw Stadium, as the Cardinal shut out the nation's highest-scoring team.
The performance capped a five-goal weekend for Press, who had her first collegiate hat trick Friday in a 6-1 victory over Utah, doubling her season total and moving her into a three-way tie with Cal's Alex Morgan and Longwood's Lindsey Ottavio for the national lead with 10 goals.
Press opened the scoring only 2:31 into the match when Camille Levin found room along the end line and passed diagonally to the top of the box, where Press unleashed a hard right-footed shot.
In the 23rd minute, Press made a cut across the top of the box when she was taken down for a penalty kick. Press took it herself and pushed a low shot inside the left post.
Press, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, moved into a tie with Kelley O'Hara (2006-09) for second on Stanford's all-time scoring list. Press has 146 points, leaving her only six (two for a goal, one for an assist) behind record-holder Sarah Rafanelli (1990-93). Press also has 55 goals, four short of Rafanelli's record.
Other Stanford players named to the all-tournament team were: Levin, Teresa Noyola, and Courtney Verloo.
The shutout was the second of the season for Stanford (6-0-2), and the second in as many matches for Georgetown (7-2), which entered the tournament averaging 3.88 goals per match. That was before a nightmare weekend that began with a 1-0 loss to Santa Clara on Friday.
Freshman goalkeeper Emily Oliver, who took over the starting position three matches ago, earned her first career shutout without being tested. The Cardinal outshot Georgetown, 22-4, and held the Hoyas without a shot during the second half.
"Our defense is getting stronger and stronger," said Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe, who had to replace two graduated seniors on the back line this season. "The whole team did a good defensive job and looks a lot more decisive."
Erstwhile forward Verloo moved into the central defense, a position she had never played, and has improved steadily alongside captain Alina Garciamendez.
"We've been talking about the communication, so that one steps to the ball and the other covers," Ratcliffe said. "In the past, we've been a little bit quiet in how we're stepping and unsure in knowing what people are doing. Now, we're more decisive, the communication is correct, and the defense is better."
As the defense has coalesced, it has begun to create a better buildup, which is the foundation of Stanford's ball-control style. The Cardinal seemed to make great strides in that regard in both weekend matches.
As for Verloo, "I just want to play and help the team however I can," she said. "It's a fun challenge for me and it's given me a different perspective. If I go up and play forward again, it's going to really help me on the other end by seeing that side."
Her biggest challenge as a defender?
"Not being able to just dribble," she said.
Stanford returns to action Thursday against visiting Hawaii and then plays host to No. 3 Portland on Saturday. Both are at 7 p.m.