STANFORD, Calif. – A sluggish start didn't deter the 17th-ranked Cardinal as it surged back to top visiting UConn 19-14 and push its win streak to five Saturday afternoon at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
The first half saw the score pendulum swing back and forth as the Cardinal (6-2) struck first 20 seconds in only to see the Huskies (2-4) match it less than 40 seconds later. With the score knotted 2-2 the Huskies went on their first streak of the game putting three uncontested goals away before Maggie Nick stepped up to snap it.
The half saw UConn post two three-goal scoring streaks before a timeout saw Stanford fire up to start turning the page. Closing out the half, the Cardinal went on a four goal scoring spree to close out the half, including an epic goal that saw a clear with 13 seconds left as Areta Buness ran the field to set up an amazing Anna Salemo goal with only two seconds remaining to send the game into half with the Cardinal up 9-8.
The second half saw Stanford continue to hold the reigns as it opened up with another quick goal. On the day the Cardinal was absolutely dominant on shots and draw controls with Genesis Lucero crushing it with nine draw controls on the day.
The defensive effort stepped up as well as Stanford held the Huskies to nearly half the amount of shots the Cardinal put up while causing 11 turnovers. Kesley Murray's four goals proved to be the offensive high on the day while Areta Buness and her speed added three of her own to keep the Cardinal streaking with a 19-14 final.
The Cardinal will take a brief break before taking to the road again to head to the east coast to face Harvard on March 28. Game time is set for 4 p.m. PT in Cambridge, Mass.