STANFORD, Calif.- No. 8 Stanford blanked California 3-0 on Friday afternoon in the NorPac opener for both teams, picking up its sixth straight victory and extending its stranglehold on the rivalry series.
Alex McCawley scored twice and Kelsey Harbin added a team-leading fourth goal of the season for Stanford (6-1, 1-0 NorPac), which has registered four straight shutouts during its climb up the national polls.
The Cardinal last allowed a goal in the second minute against No. 20 New Hampshire on Sept. 6 – a streak spanning 348:39.
Stanford has now won 13 of its last 17 against California, including four in a row dating back to last year. The Cardinal has outscored the Bears 13-3 during the four-game stretch.
Stanford dominated the game, owning advantages in shots (18-1) and penalty corners (9-0).
McCawley got the Cardinal going early, scoring her first goal of the match in the eighth minute with a laser from the top of the circle into the top right corner. She became the ninth Stanford player to record at least one goal this season.
California (3-4, 0-1 NorPac) received its only shot from Nicole Wallstedt right before halftime. It was the first shot allowed by Stanford at home in 105:56 – a span stretching three games.
Harbin provided insurance in the second half, converting on a penalty corner in the 49th minute after a nice setup by Hannah Thiemann and Shannon Herold.
McCawley also capitalized on Stanford’s penalty corner advantage, tapping in a rebound in the 61st minute for her second goal of the day.
----------
Notes: Stanford has won four in a row against Cal since dropping a 1-0 decision on Nov. 5, 2011 … Stanford holds advantages over opponents in shots (118-29), penalty corners (63-13) and goals (19-5) … Kelsey Harbin leads the team in points (10) and goals (4) … goalkeeper Dulcie Davies holds a 0.69 GAA … Stanford has allowed just two shots on goal or less per team during its four-game shutout streak … The Cardinal has outshot opponents 73-9 in the past four games.