Nov. 6, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - In the final home game for the Stanford seniors, the Cardinal could not match UCLA, falling 3-0 at Cagan Stadium. The Bruins (14-4-1, 9-0-0 Pac-12) had already clinched the Pac-12 title, but extended its perfect record in conference play. Stanford (5-10-2, 2-6-1 Pac-12) completed its home season with a tough loss.
The Cardinal started six seniors, including the first-ever start for Ben Grafentin. Taylor Amman, Clayton Holz, Garrett Gunther, Adoni Levine and Tommy Ryan also started its final home game. Alexander Binnie and Cullen Wilson are also part of the senior class, but did not play due to injury.
Stanford could not stop the early barrage by UCLA as the Bruins took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. Victor Chavez got a through ball from Chandler Hoffman and finished on his first touch. The shot beat Drew Hutchins as Chavez went to the low right corner.
A minute later, the Bruins added to its lead when it played a ball into the box that deflected off a Stanford defender for an own goal. The goal was caused by the persistent pressure that UCLA put on early in the game.
Stanford battled back, but could not find a goal. The Bruins outshot Stanford 7-6 in the half, but most of that came early on. Hutchins made two of his four saves in the half and the teams went to halftime with UCLA leading 2-0.
Stanford came out of the half with renewed energy, creating several chances after the break. Gunther and Felipe Noguerol had multiple shots, but the Cardinal could not find the back of the net.
UCLA put the game away in the 56th minute when Shawn Singh beat Hutchins to make it 3-0. Singh fired a high dipping shot from 30 yards that hit the under side of the crossbar and deflected in. It was a perfect shot that Hutchins had no chance on.
The loss was just the third at home for Stanford this season and ends its four-game home winning streak against UCLA.
Stanford will wrap up its season on Friday, November 11, when it takes on California in Berkeley at 2pm. The Cardinal and Golden Bears tied 1-1 in the first meeting at Cagan Stadium back in early October.