ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 7 Stanford extended its winning-streak to eight games Sunday when it defeated No. 14 Michigan 2-1 on an overtime goal by Lauren Becker.
The Cardinal (14-1, 2-0 NorPac West) did not waste any time delivering the overtime winner, scoring in the second minute of the extra frame. Maddie Secco generated the final scoring play when she received the ball at midfield and weaved her way through multiple Michigan (9-5, 4-1 Big Ten) defenders and headed straight to goal.
With one defender to beat inside the circle, Secco (human biology) slid a pass to Becker (communication) who was waiting on the left post to knock in the winning goal.
Secco also assisted the first Stanford goal and has registered at least one assist in five of the past six games.
Stanford improved to 5-1 against top-20 opponents with three of its victories coming away from home.
Another win against Michigan! @StanfordFH #findaway #morethanateam
— Hope Burke (@hopeyburke) October 12, 2014
It was an evenly contested game with each team reeling off eight shots, while Michigan held a 3-0 penalty corner advantage.
Stanford’s defense continued to showcase why it is one of the nation’s best, constantly stepping up in plays to disrupt and intercept Wolverines passes. Dulcie Davies (science, technology and society) was outstanding in goal and made five saves.
The Cardinal has held opponents to one or fewer goals in 14 of 15 games this season.
For the second time in as many games, Stanford needed to erase an early deficit after Michigan’s Leslie Smith scored in the seventh minute. The Cardinal responded with plenty of pressure for the remainder of the half but could not break through.
Stanford continued its pressure in the second half and was rewarded in the 48th minute when Secco lifted a pass from the right sideline to Katie Keyser for the equalizing goal. Keyser did well to convert the opportunity by raising her stick above her head to knock down the pass, then swatting the ball with a waist-high swing into the back of the goal.
@StanfordFH @taradanielson Congrats on the win! What a comeback. #NerdNation @GoStanford
— Nicole Van Dyke (@StanfordE11even) October 12, 2014
Stanford returns to California for its final three regular season games, beginning 3 p.m. (PT) Friday at Pacific.
- - - - - - - - - -
Notes: Stanford has won eight in a row … Lauren Becker has scored a single-season career high seven goals – two have been game-winners … Maddie Secco has at least one assist in five of her past six games, she has a team-high six assists on the year … Secco’s six assists tie her career best for a single season … Stanford improved to 4-0 in overtime games this year … The Cardinal is 5-1 against top-20 opponents with three victories coming away from the Varsity Turf … Stanford has held opponents to one or fewer goals in 14 of 15 games this year … The Cardinal is undefeated when it scores at least one goal … Stanford is 8-0 away from the Varsity Turf … The Cardinal holds advantages against opponents in shots (196-96), penalty corners (81-43) and goals (40-10).