STANFORD, Calif. – Stalwart defense coupled with goals from Katie Keyser and Fran Tew led the No. 18 Cardinal to a 2-0 win over Cal Sunday afternoon. The win closes out Stanford's 2016 regular season home slate with Tara Danielson collecting her 50th win at Varsity Turf as well as the Cardinal knotting the series history for the first time since 2002.
The first half saw the Cardinal come out to put up 11 shots on the Bears, forcing eight saves in the first 35 minutes from Dakota Churchill to put the Bears back on their heels. The Cardinal kept dominance of possession in the half, barely allowing Cal an opportunity in the period to head into the break tied 0-0.
"It was a solid team effort today," stated Tara Danielson, "We're pleased with the sustained defensive pressure that we applied throughout the game. The game was scrappy at times and we did a better job at controlling phases of the game."
The second half saw the Bears scrap into the game, but the offense found its groove with Lucy Dikeou laying out for an incredible assist as she tipped it to Katie Keyser who cranked in the game-winner. Cal wouldn't quit though as they put up five shots in the half to force three saves from Kelsey Bing.
Fran Tew was unstoppable this weekend as she put in the insurance goal for the Cardinal in the 68th minute with Jordan Barry feeding her a ball into the circle that she turned around to rip past the Cal defense to make it 2-0.
Stanford takes to the road again next weekend as it travels to face Northwestern and Michigan State. The Cardinal take on the Wildcats on Saturday and Michigan State on Sunday.