Lead Photo by Jim Shorin/ISIPhotos.com
STANFORD, Calif. – Kyra Carusa and Michelle Xiao scored a pair of first-half goals to lead Stanford to a 2-0 victory against Utah on Sunday afternoon.
On a day dedicated to the Stanford senior class, it was the Cardinal sophomore class that ensured its elders would be victorious in their final regular-season home game. Along with Carusa and Xiao's goals, sophomores Averie Collins and Tegan McGrady combined for three assists.
The Cardinal's (14-1-1, 7-1 Pac-12) senior class of Stephanie Amack, Maddie Bauer, Jane Campbell, Siobhan Cox, Megan Turner and Ryan Walker-Hartshorn have a career record of 68-11-7 (.831). The group was honored during a pregame ceremony and each of the five active seniors were included in the starting lineup.
"I'm really proud of the seniors, they're a great class," said Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe. "They've done so much for Stanford over their four years."
Highlights from Stanford's victory against Utah.
Stanford dominated the first half, maintaining possession for a majority of the half and attacking the final third relentlessly.
The Cardinal broke through in the 22nd minute when McGrady whipped in a left-footed cross from the left side of the field. Collins, who was positioned on the far post, headed a pass back to the near post where Carusa was waiting to head the ball into the top left corner of the goal.
It is Carusa's third goal of the year and 14th point – tying her with Jordan DiBiasi for second-most on the team.
"Kyra has done it all for us," said Ratcliffe. "Really dynamic up front as a goal scorer and creating goals. She's the engine for us up top and she's made a big impact this season."
Stanford continued to pressure Utah (10-3-3, 5-1-2 Pac-12) and doubled its lead to 2-0 in the 28th minute. Collins beat her defender down the right sideline and threaded a cross through the center of the box to Xiao on the back post. Xiao took a touch to control the pass then fired it into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the year.
It was Collins' second assist of the game and 13th point in the past eight contests.
"She is just such a hard worker," said Ratcliffe of Collins. "She's a winner. She's someone you want on the field because she's just going to find a way to help the team win."
With a comfortable lead, Stanford focused on maintaining possession for long stretches of the second half. Utah increased its pressure to try to kick-start its offense but Stanford's defense, anchored by Alana Cook and Bauer, did well to alleviate potential threats.
Campbell returned to her starting spot in goal after spending the first part of this week training with the senior U.S. Women's National Team. She finished the game with four saves.
Campbell's biggest stop came in the 83rd minute when Utah's leading scorer, Hailey Skolmoski, found a gap in the defense and had a one-on-one opportunity. Campbell came off her line to challenge the shot and made the save to preserve the shutout. It is Campbell's 33rd career shutout and she is now two clean sheets shy of the program record held by Nicole Barnhart (35).
"The team's starting to peak at the right time," said Ratcliffe. "I don't think we've peaked yet. We still have work to do but I hoping we can forge ahead and continue to get better leading into playoffs.
Stanford will look to continue its momentum next week when it travels to Arizona and Arizona State.
Cardinal Notes
- Stanford improves to 7-1-1 all-time against Utah.
- The Cardinal extended its unbeaten streak against the Utes to seven games.
- Averie Collins has 13 points in Pac-12 play (eight games) – the most of any Stanford player.
- Kyra Carusa has at least one point in 10-of-16 games this season, including four points over the past four games (1 G, 2 A).
- Jane Campbell earned her 33rd career shutout. She is one shy of second place and two short of the program record.