Sept. 17, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw on Saturday night under the lights of Cagan Stadium. Stanford twice took a one-goal lead and had USF on the ropes late, but could not find the third and would be game-winning goal.
"I though we played well enough to win," said head coach Bret Simon. "We made progress and this team is headed in the right direction."
The Cardinal got on the board first with a goal from Alexander Binnie in the 35th minute. Binnie finished on a 1v1 with the goalkeeper after a long ball was played forward by Adoni Levine. The goal was the first of Binnie's career.
The Dons equalized just two minutes later when goalkeeper Brendan Roslund played a long ball forward to Miguel Aguilar who turned and shot from 30 yards. The shot was just under the crossbar out the reach of Drew Hutchins.
Stanford outshot USF 6-2 in the first half, but Roslund made two saves, including a tough save on a blast from Garrett Gunther.
Stanford retook the lead just 2:45 into the second half. A hustling Garrett Gunther caused a turnover in the USF defense and ran at the keeper to finish his first goal of the season. Gunther was active all night in the Stanford offense, taking six shots, including three on goal.
San Francisco equalized once more, this time in the 66th minute. Maurice Diaz De Leon received a long ball just in front of Hutchins and turned and finished.
USF was gaining momentum as it totaled 14 second-half shots. However, in the 72nd minute, Kevin Orozco of the Dons received a red card for a rough tackle and USF was forced to play with 10 men.
Up a man, the Cardinal seized control and began an offensive onslaught. Adam Jahn nearly curled in a free kick from 30 yards, but Roslund made the save. Moments later, Binnie cracked a volley on frame, but Roslund made another terrific save.
The Cardinal totaled 10 shots in the half, but could not find the game winner.
In overtime, Stanford showed total dominance as a frustrated USF team began racking up the fouls and cards. In all, USF was carded 11 times as the Cardinal outshot USF 7-1 in the extra periods. The Cardinal had several more outstanding chances, but Roslund was the difference in goal for the Dons.
"Brendan Roslund was terrific goal with 11 saves," said Simon.
Roslund finished his night by saving another free kick from Jahn headed for goal and then a reaction save on a Matt Taylor header off a restart. The Taylor header came in the game's final minute, just after he had been subbed on. USF was down to nine men after a second red card.
It was a frustrating result for Stanford as its chances for the game winner were ample. The Cardinal settle for the tie and is 1-4-1 after six games. Stanford will remain home for two games next weekend as part of the Stanford Nike Classic. The Cardinal will face Harvard on Friday night at 7pm and Vermont on Sunday at 1pm.