Oct. 14, 2011
STANFORD, Calif.- No. 9 Stanford coasted to a 7-0 shutout of Pacific on Friday night at the Varsity Turf, tallying season-high totals in goals and shots to open a pivotal weekend in conference play.
The Cardinal (11-2, 4-0 NorPac) shook off a slow start and dominated play following its first goal of the game late in the opening period.
Stanford's shutout of Pacific (2-10, 0-5 NorPac) sets up a critical contest against No. 12 California (12-2, 3-1 NorPac) on Sunday in Berkeley. Stanford edged California 3-2 in the first meeting back on Sept. 23, meaning the Cardinal can clinch the NorPac's regular-season title outright with a win. Stanford has already earned at least a share of the regular-season crown.
After suffering only its second loss of the year in a 6-3 setback at No. 12 New Hampshire last weekend, Stanford bounced back in a big way against Pacific. The Cardinal, which blanked the Tigers 4-0 in Stockton back on Sept. 17, has won 11 in a row in the series since Pacific's last victory in 2006.
Hope Burke totaled five points with two goals and one assist, while five other players scored at least one goal for Stanford. In addition to owning a 9-1 edge in penalty corners, the Cardinal fired off a season-high 30 shots, attempting 17 in the first half and 13 in the second period.
Colleen Ryan broke the ice at the 29:44 mark of the first half, scoring her first career goal unassisted when she collected a loose ball in a scrum near the cage and poked it past Pacific keeper Ashlee Schlesier.
Courtney Haldeman gave Stanford a 2-0 lead right before halftime, beating Schlesier thanks to a center pass from Burke.
The second half was all Stanford, with Pacific attempting only one shot over the final 35 minutes.
Burke put home her first goal of the game in the 41st minute, making it 3-0 with a quick shot from the right side following Stephanie Byrne's 11th assist of the year.
In the 53rd minute, Emily Henriksson scored her fourth goal of the year following a penalty corner with assists from Ryan and Becky Dru.
Kelsey Harbin chipped in with a goal in the 58th minute, tipping in a loose ball that glanced off the stick of Alex McCawley and the foot of a Pacific defender for a 5-0 lead.
Burke's second goal of the game also took place off a penalty corner, converting on a quick shot after she regained possession of the ball following a tip pass from Dru.
Devon Holman rounded out the scoring at the 65:29 mark, scoring unassisted through a scramble minutes after she entered the game in a substitution.
Dru led all players with five shots, while six different Cardinal players registered at least three attempts.
Ale Moss made three saves in goal.