Sept. 12, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford earned an exciting overtime victory on Wednesday night at the home opener from Cagan Stadium. Austin Meyer scored just 1:02 into the extra period to defeat San Jose State 2-1 and move Stanford to 3-2-0 on the season.
"This win was great as it puts us back over .500," said Meyer. It was the home opener so we wanted to come out and defend our turf and get that win for our fans."
The goal was the first in Meyer's career and could not have come at a better time. He struck the game-winner from about 25 yards and tucked into the far upper corner.
"JJ Koval swung the ball into me from the left side," said Meyer. "We have been working this week about keeping your head up and having a go from distance. You never know what can happen as long as you are putting it on frame. The ball got caught under my feet a little, but I was always going to have a crack. I guess the goalie was a little off balance and the ball drifted into that upper corner. It was ecstasy from there."
The goal was well deserved for the Cardinal as the home side had taken control of the game in the second half and overtime.
After a scoreless first half, Stanford scored its first goal in the 50th minute. Adam Jahn finished his third goal on the season with a nice feed from Dersu Abolfathi. Jahn controlled a long ball into the box from Hunter Gorskie and played it to his left. Abolfathi received the pass, carried his dribble to the end line and dropped a pass back to Jahn for a one-time finish.
It was a great goal from a trio of Stanford seniors who seemed to have taken control of the match.
"It was a very tough first half," said head coach Jeremy Gunn. "San Jose State played really well early on. Both teams had a couple of chances, but it was a fairly even game at halftime. The game plan from there was to come out in the second half and really get after it. We did a great job of that. We got straight into them and scored a great goal."
Despite the turnaround, San Jose State came back just two minutes later to grab the equalizer. Steven Sanchez hit a stunning volley off a cross from Thomas Barnes to tie the game at 1-1.
"It was disappointing to give up a goal right away," said Gunn. "It was a very good strike by their number eight, though. It was a heck of a volley that is worthy of a goal on any day."
After the equalizer, the Stanford players did not hang their heads. Instead, they continued to be the aggressor. The Cardinal had several more chances before full time, outshooting San Jose State 8-2 in the half. The goal never came in regulation, but it set the scene for Meyer in overtime.
Meyer's goal gives Stanford a win in the home opener and builds momentum for the Cardinal who has five more games consecutively at Cagan Stadium. Next up is Santa Clara on Sunday night at 7 p.m. Stanford will look to avenge a 1-0 loss from a year ago in the annual game as part of the Bay Area Classic.