STANFORD, Calif. – A clutch goal by Alex McCawley at the end of regulation and an overtime winner by Jessica Chisholm lifted No. 8 Stanford to a 2-1 victory against No. 7 Iowa on Friday at the Varsity Turf.
The Cardinal (6-0, 0-0 NorPac) rallied from a late 1-0 deficit to pick up its second consecutive overtime victory and fifth straight win against the Hawkeyes (3-2, 0-0 Big Ten) dating back to Sept. 13, 2009.
McCawley, an international relations major, continued to be an offensive force and provide big goals in important moments. With Stanford trailing 1-0 and less than seven minutes to play in regulation, Clemence Couteau delivered a hard cross from the left side of the field to the center of the goal. McCawley, sprinting down the middle of the field, dove for the ball and outstretched the defender who was guarding her to redirect the hard cross into the back of the cage.
It was McCawley’s team-leading sixth goal on the season.
Reenergized by the equalizing goal, Stanford continued to apply pressure the remainder of the second half and carried a majority of the momentum into the overtime period.
Chisholm, a science, technology and society major, delivered a pair of strong shots earlier in the game that narrowly missed the goal but made no doubt about her third shot – hammering home a set-piece shot off a penalty corner.
Kelsey Harbin received the insertion on the penalty corner on the right side of the goal and fed the ball cross-cage to Chisholm, who took a touch to settle the ball, then fired home a hard and low shot to the center of the goal.
Friday’s game was the first time Stanford faced a deficit this season and the win showcased Stanford’s resiliency and ability to overcome adversity.
The Cardinal’s defense continued to play well and limited Iowa to one shot in the first half and none in overtime. Stanford did well to weather an onslaught of pressure during the first portion of the second half when the Hawkeyes reeled off five shots in 24 minutes and maintained a majority of the possession.
Dulcie Davies made three saves, while Harbin, a two-time All-American and human biology major, provided leadership and confident play on the backline. Shannon Herold, Kasey Quon and Chisholm worked well as a unit to keep Iowa attackers out wide and away from the front of the goal.
Stanford will look to continue its strong start to the season Sunday when it takes on No. 12 Albany at 11 a.m. (PT) at the Varsity Turf. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks and live stats will be available.
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Notes: Stanford’s 6-0 start is its best since it went 8-0 to begin its 2009 season … Jessica Chisholm’s goal was the first of her collegiate career … Alex McCawley has recorded at least a goal in each of the past three games and has one point in five of six games this season … Stanford faced its first deficit of the season when Iowa’s Sophie Plasteras scored at 53:32 … the deficit lasted 9:18 … Plasteras’ goal ended Stanford’s shutout streak that spanned five games and lasted 309:38 … Stanford has defeated Iowa in five consecutive meetings dating back to Sept. 13, 2009 … The Cardinal improves to 3-0 in games decided by one goal this season … Stanford has won each of its past four games decided in overtime dating back to a 1-0 victory at No. 14 Wake Forest (Oct. 18, 2013) … Stanford holds advantages over opponents in shots (75-32), penalty corners (34-18) and goals (15-2).