Sept. 1, 1997
Cardinal Women Open with 2-1 Win in Texas
AUSTIN, Tx. - The Stanford women's soccer team opened their season with a 2-1victory over University of Texas Longhorns before a crowd of 1115 fans--the largest homecrowd in the history of Texas women's soccer. With the temperature in the sultry 90s atthe start of the contest, the Cardinal women struggled at first but, in time, settleddown to play their possession game. Late in the half, Christy Arnold went off with abruised knee and junior midfielder Becka Livermore entered the game. Within minutes,Livermore took co-captain Emily Burt's through ball and shot it firmly on goal from 25yards out. The Texas goalkeeper made a terrific attempt at a save but the ball slippedthrough her hands and trickled over the goal line making the halftime score 1-0,Stanford.
The Cardinal women kept up the pressure throughout the second half and controlled muchof the play. With six minutes left in the contest, Stanford junior goalie Erin Brylamade a dramatic save from a Texas blast and immediately a Cardinal counter attack waslaunched. With a long clearing pass off the Stanford goal line, Freshman midfielderCelina DeLeon gathered the ball near midfield and dribbled swiftly toward the Texasgoal. DeLeon then connected with the fast breaking Burt who made a quick move beforeneatly slotting the ball past the onrushing Texas goalkeeper. Two minutes later, at87:26, Texan Bonnie McAulife converted a direct kick for the final score of the contest.
Coach Steve Swanson commented after the game: "As young as our squad is and to play inthis brutal humidity, I'm pleased with the way we played." But Steve did add that theSept. 2 contest versus sixth-ranked Texas A&M in College Station will be a major testfor the Cardinal.
The home opener for the Stanford Women is next Sunday, Sept. 7, versus St. Mary's. The1:00 PM kickoff is at the new Maloney Field.
Starting Lineups:
Stanford (1-0): Erin Bryla, Natalie Kim, Ronnie Fair, Jen O'Sullivan, Elie Foster, RitaHermiz, Jill Buxton, Christy Stoffel, Emily Burt, Christy Arnold, Tracye Lawyer
Texas (0-1): Cami Varnadore, Sarah Trombley, Alana Makinoao, Katie Cole, Carol Finch, KatieBaruth, Shannon Cuthberson, Connie McAuliffe, Nicole Ramirez, Jennifer Cavelle, HaleyHauptman