STANFORD, Calif. – Four Stanford players combined for five goals to lead the eighth-ranked Cardinal to a dominating 5-0 victory against Central Michigan on Friday evening at the Varsity Turf.
Stanford (7-1, 0-0 NorPac) controlled the game from start to finish, outshooting the Chippewas (1-6, 0-0 MAC) 16-0 and holding a 4-0 penalty corner advantage. It is the Cardinal’s fifth shutout this season.
Maddie Secco, a human biology major, returned to the team from international play last weekend with Team Canada and made her presence known by delivering two goals. Katie Keyser, Alex McCawley and Lauren Becker added a goal apiece.
It was a quiet evening for goalkeeper Dulcie Davies who did not face a shot. It was the first time Stanford held an opponent to zero shots since a 2-0 victory and 19-0 shot advantage against VCU on Sept. 8, 2013.
The Cardinal defense did well to alleviate Central Michigan scoring opportunities and get the ball to the midfielders and attackers who controlled a majority of the possession throughout the game.
Keyser opened the game’s scoring in the 12th minute when she redirected a hard pass from Clemence Couteau. It was the first shot and goal of Keyser’s collegiate career.
Secco added a second score in the 23rd minute off a beautiful play by McCawley. Moving toward goal at the top of the semicircle, McCawley utilized a spin move to evade her defender then sent a nice pass to Secco who controlled the ball and fired it into the back of the cage.
McCawley, an international relations major, would get a goal of her own before the half ended, capitalizing on a miscue by the Chippewas’ defense. Fran Tew sent in a hard cross from the right side of the field just outside of the semicircle that Central Michigan’s goalkeeper Sadie Reynolds kicked to the center of the semicircle. The ball landed on McCawley’s stick and she hammered it into the goal.
Despite allowing five goals, Reynolds was strong in goal for the Chippewas, making 10 saves – including a couple at point-blank range.
Lauren Becker, a communication major, extended the Cardinal’s lead in the second half when she received a pass just outside the semicircle, backed up her defender to create space, then fired a shot to the lower right corner. It is her fourth goal on the season, which matches her season total from 2013.
Secco capped the scoring for Stanford in the 65th minute when she pounced on a rebound after a shot by McCawley. It was Secco’s fourth goal on the year, passing her 2013 total of three.
Stanford will look to carry its momentum into Sunday’s 1 p.m. (PT) matchup against California.
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Notes: Stanford registered its fifth shutout on the season … The Cardinal did not allow a shot to Central Michigan ... It was the first time Stanford held a team without a shot since a 2-0 victory and 19-0 shot advantage against VCU on Sept. 8, 2013 … Prior to holding VCU shot-less, the Cardinal held a 40-0 shot advantage in a 3-0 victory against Longwood on Oct. 14, 2005 … Katie Keyser’s goal came on her first collegiate shot … Alex McCawley has recorded a goal in three of the past four games and has at least one point in six of eight games this season … Stanford moved to 1-0 in games following a loss … Stanford’s five goals is the most since a 5-0 victory against Longwood at last year’s NorPac Tournament Semifinals (Nov. 8, 2013) … Stanford holds advantages over opponents in shots (94-44), penalty corners (40-24) and goals (20-3) on the season.