STOCKTON, Calif. – A career-high two goals from Lucy Dikeou combined with a phenomenal team defensive effort sent the 13th-ranked Stanford field hockey to a 2-0 win over Cal in the America East semifinals Saturday afternoon at Pacific Field Hockey Turf.
The Cardinal (13-5) defense continued its traditional stalwart ways in the first half as it didn't allow a shot to the Bears (5-13), while the offense put up six shots and collected four penalty corners. Cal was able to deny the Cardinal in the first 35 minutes of action as both teams went into the break tied 0-0.
The second half saw the Stanford defense dominate the Cal Bears while seeing the offense come to life with eight shots to its tally. Lucy Dikeou stepped up in the 54th minute with a move through the middle before putting a shot past a diving Danielle Mentink in goal to make it 1-0.
While the Bears were able to scrap six shots in the half, Kelsey Bing was locked into collecting her sixth shutout of the season as she denied all five of the shots Cal was able to put on target. Dikeou delivered some insurance in the 61st minute after the Bears pulled Mentink out of goal to add an extra field player giving the Cardinal an empty net opportunity to clinch it with a 2-0 final.
With the win, the Cardinal advances to its first America East final where it will face either Pacific or Albany. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (PT) at Pacific Field Hockey Turf in Stockton, Calif.
