Oct. 21, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - Courtney Verloo scored two goals - on a penalty and directly on a corner kick - to lead No. 2 Stanford to a 3-0 women's soccer victory over Washington before a sellout crowd of 2,360 at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium on Sunday night.
Stanford (14-1-1 overall, 8-0 Pac-12) completed its home regular-season schedule and next plays what is expected to be the determining weekend of the Pac-12 season when the three-time defending champion Cardinal travels to USC and No. 3 UCLA (14-0-2, 7-0-1) for matches on Friday and Sunday.
Verloo spotted Stanford a 2-0 lead by the 22nd minute when her right-footed inswinging corner kick curled around Washington goalkeeper Kari Davidson and bounced in the goal off the inside of the far post for her sixth goal of the season. It was the first multi-goal performance for Verloo, who converted a penalty in the seventh minute after a Husky hand ball.
Stanford scored its final goal when a rush into the penalty area by Rachel Quon resulted in a shot by the outside back that deflected off a Washington defender into the net for an own goal in the 87th minute.
After the match, Stanford honored its nine seniors (its 10th, Verloo, will return for a fifth season), who have combined to a 87-3-4 overall record over the past four years, including 48-0-1 at home. The cast includes four-year starters and tri-captains Quon, central midfielder Alina Garciamendez, and midfielder Mariah Nogueira. The class has never failed to reach an NCAA final or win a conference championship, and was the backbone of the 2011 NCAA title team.
"When you look at what they've accomplished, I don't think it will ever be replicated in Stanford history," Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe said. "It's an unforgettable class, not just in success on the field, but in character, ability, and camaraderie. What they've created is very special."