STANFORD, Calif. – Maggie Steffens and Kiley Neushul each scored three times and Stanford defeated Princeton 7-2 in NCAA quarterfinal action at Avery Aquatic Center on Friday afternoon.
With the win, the Cardinal advanced to one NCAA semifinal tomorrow evening at 5:15 p.m. against USC, which defeated Hawaii 14-7 later in the afternoon. Stanford is 2-0 against the Trojans this season, winning its MPSF opener in overtime in Los Angeles, 12-9, and also coming out on top in the third-place game at the MPSF Tournament two weeks ago, 9-6.
On Friday, Stanford scored six of its seven goals in the first half without allowing a Tiger score. Steffens rattled the cage with a 6-on-5 tally at 5:22 in the first quarter. Dani Jackovich closed the opening frame (1:42) and Kiley Neushul opened the second (7:21) with even-strength marks before Steffens converted another man-up situation for the Cardinal (6:33).
She scored on Stanford's next possession (6:02) and Neushul was successful on a penalty to close the first half (0:55) and put the Cardinal up 6-0 at the break.
Taylor Dunstan scored Princeton's first on the power play with 1:53 to go in the third.
Neushul converted another penalty with 5:22 to go in the game before the Tigers' Ashley Hatcher scored with 3:23 left to close out the action.
Princeton goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson made 18 saves to keep the Tigers within a reasonable distance.
Gabby Stone made eight saves in the cage for the Cardinal.
Neushul's three tallies moved her past Ellen Estes and into third place in Stanford history with 216 career goals.
No. 2 Stanford vs. No. 8 Princeton
May 8, 2015 • Stanford, Calif.
PRIN 0 – 0 – 1 – 1 = 2
STAN 2 – 4 – 0 – 1 = 7
Princeton Goals: Taylor Dunstan, Ashley Hatcher
Princeton Saves: Ashleigh Johnson 18
Stanford Goals: Kiley Neushul 3, Maggie Steffens 3, Dani Jackovich
Stanford Saves: Gabby Stone 8