PRINCETON, N.J. – The Stanford women's squash team avenged a heartbreaking 5-4 home loss to Yale last month by beating the Bulldogs 5-4 on Sunday to capture the consolation crown in the National Championships at Princeton University.
It was the Cardinal program's first-ever victory against Yale, and earned fifth-place in the Howe Cup.The latter marked the highest finish by a Stanford team, the previous best coming in 2010, 2011 and 2016, when the squad claimed sixth.
"Very happy for all the ladies, especially our three seniors," said Cardinal head coach Mark Talbott. "It was the biggest win in program history."
Harvard successfully defended its national title by defeating Pennsylvania, 7-2.
For Talbott, the breakthrough was doubly-satisfying. Not only because of the near-miss last month, but because his brother, Dave, is the long-time head coach at Yale.
"Extra sweet," Talbott said.
The sixth-seeded Cardinal (8-7) used depth to upset the fifth-seeded Bulldogs (12-6). Stanford received wins from CC Ho at No. 3, Christie Huchro at No. 5, Tara Shannon at No. 6, Lucy Rowe at No. 7 and Tatyanna Dadabbo at No. 8.
Several Cardinal players are expected to compete in the CSA Individual National Championships, starting March 3 at Dartmouth University.
Stanford 5, Yale 4
Jenny Scherl (Y) def. Casey Wong (S), 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3
Lucy Beecroft (Y) def. Chloe Chemtob (S), 11-9, 11-5, 11-5
CC Ho (S) def. Celine Yeap (Y), 12-10, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6
Shiyuan Mao (Y) def. Sarah Bell (S), 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3
Christie Huchro (S) def. Jennifer Davis (Y), 13-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4
Tara Shannon (S) def. Jocelyn Lehman (Y), 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
Tatyanna Dadabbo (S) def. Selena Maity (Y), 14-12, 11-4, 11-3
Jessica Yacobucci (Y) def. Anna Marie Manning (S), 14-12, 7-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8