Aug. 29, 2011
STORRS, CT- Backed by three first-half goals, No. 4 Connecticut held on for a 4-2 victory over No. 20 Stanford on Monday afternoon at the Husky Invitational.
Four different players scored a goal for Connecticut (2-0), which jumped out to a 3-1 halftime lead. The Huskies dominated play in the first period, holding a 6-1 edge in shots and a 6-0 advantage in penalty corners.
Stanford (1-1) played much better in the second half but was unable to make up the difference. Over the final 35 minutes, the Cardinal outshot the Huskies 7-6 and held a 5-1 edge in penalty corners.
The close result against one of the nation's top teams should not come as much of a surprise. Stanford finished 2-4 against top-20 programs last year, winning at No. 8 Wake Forest while three of its four losses were one-goal defeats.
Connecticut grabbed a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when Anne Jeute scored following a deflection off a corner.
For the second straight game, one of Stanford's impressive freshmen made an impact. Two days after rookie Kelsey Harbin scored the overtime game-winner in a 4-3 victory over Hofstra, fellow newcomer Alex McCawley scored her first career goal to even the match at 1-1.
The Huskies received goals from Jestine Angelini and Ali Blankmeyer following penalty corners, reclaiming the lead at 3-1.
Seven minutes into the second period, Chloe Hunnable found the cage to give Connecticut a 4-1 lead following a deflection and assist from Marie Elena Bolles.
Becky Dru brought Stanford within 4-2 at the 43:36 mark, scoring her fourth goal of the season following a penalty corner with assists from Hannah Thiemann and Shannon Herold.
Dru's three shot attempts led Stanford. Goalkeeper Ale Moss made three saves.
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NOTES: Stanford plays the third match of its four-game East Coast road swing on Wednesday, Aug. 31, facing No. 17 Albany at 2 p.m. PT ... Monday's contest was originally scheduled to be played Sunday afternoon, but was pushed back one day due to the unplayable conditions caused by Hurricane Irene ... Dru's goal was the 30th of her career. She has played in 45 career games ... Through the first two games, every freshman starter (Kelsey Harbin, Alex McCawley, Hannah Thiemann, Shannon Herold) has chipped in with either a goal or assist ... The last time Stanford allowed at least three goals to its opponent in back-to-back games was two years ago, in a 6-2 loss at Maryland on Oct. 30 followed by a 4-1 setback against Louisville on Nov. 1.