A Winning StartA Winning Start
Aaron Shepley
Women's Soccer

A Winning Start

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MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – No. 2 Stanford started its 2017 campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Marquette on Friday night at Valley Fields.

Kyra Carusa led the way with two second-half goals for the Cardinal (1-0), which outshot the Golden Eagles (0-1) 20-7, including a 13-3 advantage in shots on goal.

After Stanford conceded a penalty in the 26th minute, goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz saved Marquette's spot kick to keep the score 0-0. The Cardinal responded nine minutes later through freshman attacker Catarina Macario.

Macario set up Tierna Davidson for a long-distance attempt that cannoned off the crossbar, but the freshman gathered the rebound, firing her right-footed shot into the upper left corner. Macario also scored in Stanford's 2-1 exhibition win at UC Davis last week.

Marquette nearly leveled the score with a counter attack just before halftime, but Jahansouz was quick off her line to sniff out the danger.

Carusa doubled Stanford's lead in the 52nd minute. Jordan DiBiasi pressed the Golden Eagles' back line, winning the ball back in the final third and squaring to Carusa, who calmly finished. Carusa got her brace 10 minutes later, heading home an inch-perfect cross by left back Tegan McGrady.

McGrady and freshman right back Kiki Pickett were thorns in Marquette's side throughout the match, causing problems going forward with the latter impressing on her collegiate debut.

Senior Mariah Lee made it 4-0 in the 74th minute off Jaye Boissiere's corner kick. Boissiere, who started the match in central midfield, curled a back-post ball to the head of Lee, who was making her first appearance since 2015 after missing 2016 with an injury.

Stanford continued to pile on the pressure for a fifth, with Boissiere nearly scoring from a free kick and Beattie Goad causing Marquette problems down the left flank.

Senior captain Andi Sullivan, the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, made her first appearance since suffering an injury in last season's NCAA Tournament. Sullivan played 29 minutes in midfield, registering one shot.

Stanford returns to action on Sunday when it faces Wisconsin at 3 p.m. PT in Milwaukee. Live statistics will be available at GoStanford.com.Cardinal Notes

  • Freshmen Civana Kuhlmann and Pickett started the match, with Belle Briede, Sophia Serafin, Jojo Harber and Macario also making their collegiate debuts.
  • Sophomore transfer Sam Hiatt made her Stanford debut, starting at center back alongside junior captain Alana Cook. Cook was Stanford's only outfield player to play 90 minutes.
  • Jahansouz finished with three saves, earning her second career shutout.
  • Stanford improved to 3-0-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles.
  • The Cardinal extended its unbeaten run in season openers to 11 years – Stanford's last loss on opening day came in 2006 against Utah.