Sept. 9, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - Some home cooking is all that Stanford needed to get its season going. The Cardinal returned home to refurbished Laird Q. Cagan Stadium to defeat No. 15 Kentucky 3-1 after starting the season 0-3 on the road. Stanford played a complete game, including finishing three outstanding goals to defeat a quality opponent.
"I thought the whole team fought very hard to come back from a one goal deficit," said head coach Bret Simon. "We defended the home field well."
The Cardinal conceded an early goal as Charles Pettys of Kentucky scored on a blast from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Drew Hutchins appeared to be shielded from the shooter and did not react in time.
However, the Cardinal immediately fought back, controlling the play for most of the game. Stanford equalized in the 33rd minute off a corner kick. Eric Anderson curled a ball into the box over the outstretched arms of the Kentucky goalkeeper. Waiting was JJ Koval who headed the ball into the back of the net. It was the first career goal for the budding sophomore star for Stanford.
"I thought a lot of players played really well, but if I had to pick one who had a really exceptional game it would be JJ Koval," said Simon. "He played the way we hope he will all season."
Just three minutes later, the Cardinal took the lead off another restart. Stanford drew a foul 40 yards from goal and again it was Anderson bending a ball into the box. This time Adam Jahn was waiting on the other end to head home a goal. It was the first goal of the season for Jahn and the eighth of his career.
The Cardinal took a 2-1 lead to the half, outshooting Kentucky 9-4 for the half. Stanford also held a 4-1 advantage on corner kicks in the half as it controlled the majority of possession.
Stanford extended its lead just five minutes into the second half when a through ball found Zach Batteer running at goal with the ball at his feet. Batteer appeared to have room to shoot, but instead cut the ball back and played it across the goal to teammate Dersu Abolfathi. Abolfathi will not see a better chance at goal all season and confidently struck the ball on frame past the Kentucky goalkeeper. It was a great finish and a better setup by Batteer.
The Cardinal hung on from there as Kentucky pushed more players forward and managed seven shots in the second half. Hutchins made two saves and earned the first win of his career.
Hunter Gorskie was issued a red card for a tough tackle in the 79th minute. It was a questionable red with Gorskie not having been cautioned and playing the ball.
The Cardinal will be right back in action on Sunday, Sept. 11, when it takes on Lehigh. The Cardinal will continue to look to take advantage of Cagan Stadium where it is 14-6-1 since 2009.