STANFORD, Calif. – There are certain images that seem to define Stanford women’s lacrosse and Friday’s 22-10 victory over San Diego State on Friday only perpetuated them.
First, the facts: No. 15 Stanford got five goals from Rachel Ozer, four from Lucy Dikeou and dominated the draw in routing San Diego State at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. This sets up a Sunday (3 p.m.) home showdown with fellow conference unbeaten USC for first place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Stanford (10-2 overall) is 6-0 in the MPSF and the Trojans (11-3) are 7-0. USC would clinch the No. 1 seed in the MPSF tournament, which determines the conference’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament, with a victory. Stanford would need one additional victory to clinch.
At least they know they’re both in. Stanford and USC, which beat UC Davis, 15-5, became the first two teams to clinch spots in the six-team MPSF event, to be played in Denver from April 30-May 3. Stanford will need one more victory to clinch a first-round bye into the semifinals.
When the Cardinal really gets going – as it did during a 12-2 run to break open a tie game Friday – most likely the Dikeou is controlling the draw. She had eight, for the second consecutive game. The image of Dikeou determinedly coming out of the scrum with the ball will be an enduring image.
“She’s has an extreme level of quickness,” Stanford coach Amy Bokker said. “She’s quick off the mark and she’s fast. If she gets a touch on the ball and can push it to space, we’re pretty confident that she’ll run on to it and get the ground ball as well.”
Her play was the catalyst in Stanford’s success in draw controls, dominating the Aztecs, 27-6. The margin was surprising considering that Stanford and San Diego State entered the game ranked first and second, respectively in the MPSF in that category.
“Lucy and Kelly Myers work really hard at practice,” Bokker said. “They have a great connection and Kelly knows where to put it, into that space where Lucy can anticipate and run on to it.”
Dikeou also had two assists, caused two turnovers, and had a groundball. Myers, who was Stanford’s starter in the circle, had five draw controls and Hannah Farr four. Alexandra Crerend had three goals, two assists, and three draw controls.
As for the other image that so characterizes Stanford at its best? That’s Ozer stopping on a time, spinning and changing direction to put herself in a better position to unleash a shot. Often, it’s all a whirl and difficult to identify when one motion ends and another begins.
Ozer moved into fourth in career points at Stanford, with 180. She passed Sarah Flynn (2008-11) at 178. Ozer also moved into sixth in goals (122), and is fifth in assists (57).
“Her change of direction is amazing,” Bokker said. “Her lateral movement and how she creates opportunities for herself are a really big testament to her footwork. She’s super shifty and, I think, one of the toughest players to mark in the country.”
Ozer is a fifth-year player who will earn her master’s in mechanical engineering this summer, and is among seven graduating seniors who will be honored before Sunday’s game. It most likely will be their final one at home.
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Stanford 22, San Diego State 10
San Diego State 5 5 – 10
Stanford 11 11 – 22
San Diego State (goals-assists): Sophie Koubek 4-0, Vickie Porter 2-0, Lauren Maack 1-0, Catherine Shepardson 1-0, Christina Ricciardulli 1-0, Kristen Hickey 1-0, Michaela Jarvis 0-2. Totals 10-2.
Stanford: Rachel Ozer 5-1, Lucy Dikeou 4-2, Alexandra Crerend 3-2, Kelly Myers 3-1, Alex Poplawski 2-0, Dillon Schoen 2-0, Mackenzie Tesei 1-1, Sandy Smith 1-0, Paige Southmayd 1-0, Hannah Farr 0-1, Elizabeth Cusick 0-1, Emily Newstrom 0-1. Totals 22-10.
Records: Stanford 10-2, 6-0; San Diego State 8-6, 4-3.