Sept. 23, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - Playing in front of a packed crowd at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, the Stanford men topped Harvard, 1-0, to improve to 2-4-1 on the season. The Cardinal controlled possession for much of the game and outshot the Crimson, 14-9.
"I think our biggest issue has been our mentality," said head coach Bret Simon. "We need to compete to win and tonight we did that."
The Cardinal needed just the one goal and got it in the 42nd minute when Eric Anderson sent in a long cross off a free kick that found the head of Adam Jahn. Jahn finished his second goal of the season as his height and physicality can make him a tough matchup in the box. The assist was the third of the season for Anderson, all coming on dead balls.
Stanford outshot Harvard 10-5 in the half and had other good chances. Alexander Binnie totaled three shots in the half, while Anderson also nearly scored from 30 yards on anther free kick, but Harvard goalkeeper Austin Harms tipped the ball over the bar.
In the second half, Harvard picked up its sense of urgency, sending more and more players forward in search of the equalizer. The equalizer would not come, however, as the Cardinal backline hung tough. Center backs Hunter Gorskie and Tommy Ryan directed a defense that earned its first shutout of the year.
In goal, Jason Dodson made three saves and picked up his first win of the season and the fourth shutout of his career.
The win was a welcomed sight for the 1,799 fans that packed Cagan Stadium and urged the Cardinal to the win in the final minutes.
"The crowd was fantastic tonight," said Simon. "They really helped with our intensity and when you are tired, but need to make that one extra run, the crowd provides the boost.
Stanford will be right back at it, taking on Vermont on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 1pm. The Catamounts lost 3-0 to California in the game played just before the Stanford contest. Stanford will look to 3-1-1 at Cagan Stadium with a win over Vermont.