Oct. 15, 2010
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford got a late goal from Dersu Abolfathi to upset No. 13 UCLA, 2-1, in front of a large crowd a Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The win gets Stanford's record back to .500 at 6-6-0 and evens its Pac-10 record at 2-2-0.
"It was a great effort against a high quality team," said head coach Bret Simon. "We just need to keep in mind that it is just one win out of 10 conference games."
The Cardinal got off to a fast start, controlling possession in the first half. In the 23rd minute Abolfathi carried the ball into the box and forced a foul from a Bruin defender. The foul resulted in a penalty kick, which Bobby Warshaw knocked into the corner for his fourth goal of the season.
The foul and ensuing penalty kick gave the Cardinal the early lead, but it continued to create chances with five shots in the half.
UCLA refocused at halftime and came out with a much better effort, outshooting Stanford 14-4 for the period. In the 73rd minute, Kelyn Rowe carried his dribble through the middle of the field before bending a shot into the upper left corner for the tying goal.
Stanford did not let allowing the tying goal deflate its efforts. In the 84th minute, Taylor Amman headed a ball to Adam Jahn, who flicked the ball through to a streaking Abolfathi. Abolfathi settled the ball and placed a shot into the lower corner that left UCLA keeper Brian Rowe with no chance. It was Abolfathi's second goal of the season and would hold up to give Stanford the win.
"It was a great goal by Dersu," said Simon. "It was a game-winner."
The Cardinal allowed 22 shots for the game, but many were from distance. Galen Perkins made eight saves and several more plays on crosses to thwart the Bruin aerial game. He picks up his second win of the season after taking over for the injured Jason Dodson.
Stanford will be right back at Cagan Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on San Diego State at 2:30 p.m. The Aztecs were 3-0 losers at California on Friday, dropping to 1-3-0 in the Pac-10. San Diego State will be looking to get back in the Pac-10 race after being a top-25 team just over a week ago. The Cardinal will have the opportunity to move over .500 for the first time this season and get into the thick of the race for the Pac-10 title.