PULLMAN, Wash. – A penalty-kick save in the 62nd minute by Alison Jahansouz proved the difference in No. 2 Stanford's 2-1 win over Washington State on Thursday night at Lower Soccer Field.
With the Cardinal (8-1-0) clinging to a 2-1 lead, Jahansouz read Grace Hancock's penalty perfectly to keep the Cougars (5-2-2) at bay. Jahansouz finished with four saves, improving to 4-1-0 on the season. Jaye Boissiere's third goal in as many games doubled Stanford's lead in the first half, and that was all the Cardinal needed for its sixth consecutive win.
Stanford's unbeaten run in Pac-12 openers extended to 17 seasons, dating back to 2000. Tierna Davidson opened the scoring in the 24th minute, starting the move herself with a long run from Stanford's half.
Davidson collected the ball 40 yards from her own goal, surging past two defenders before laying it off to Jordan DiBiasi. DiBiasi played in Kyra Carusa on the left wing, and Civana Kuhlmann flicked on Carusa's driven ball in for Davidson to tap home. It was Davidson's second goal of the year, and the second assist for both Carusa and Kuhlmann.
Ten minutes later, Boissiere doubled Stanford's lead after Catarina Macario's dangerous attempt from the top of the box was saved. Macario collected a loose ball from Andi Sullivan's corner kick, creating a yard of space and driving one low to the left goal post. Washington State cleared off the line, but Boissiere ran in unmarked to head home.
?? » Highlights from Stanford's 2-1 win over Washington State -- the Cardinal is unbeaten in its past 17 Pac-12 openers. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/xTTYboWDUs
— Stanford Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) September 22, 2017
Macario's assist was her fifth of the season, adding to her league-leading point total (21). Less than two minutes later, the Cougars won a penalty kick and cut Stanford's lead in half before the break.
In the second period, Stanford had several chances for a third goal – Carusa nearly made it 3-1 in the 58th minute, blasting a loose ball just over the bar. After Jahansouz saved the Cougars' spot kick in the 62nd minute, Stanford continued its search for a third. Macario headed a Sullivan free kick over the bar in the 72nd minute, and Madison Haley nearly headed home a corner in the 75th minute.
85' | Macario turns and fires from the top of the box, fantastic save keeps the score at 2-1. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/nTP9w6xQQL
— Stanford Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) September 22, 2017
Macario continued to threaten the Cougars' goal. In the 85th minute, the freshman beat two defenders on the edge of the box before forcing a fantastic save by the keeper at the far post. Jahansouz was strong in the air for Washington State's chance from a corner kick in the final minute, and the Cardinal hung on to see out the win.
Stanford returns to action in one week when it hosts Arizona on Sept. 28 at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, followed by a visit from Arizona State on Oct. 1. Both contests will broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks, and live statistics will be available at GoStanford.com.Cardinal Notes
- Paul Ratcliffe improved to 12-0-3 in Pac-12 openers – Stanford's last loss in a Pac-12 opener came at Washington in 2000.
- Boissiere's goal was her third in as many games – she scored a 30-yard screamer against Santa Clara and a 25-yard half volley against Yale.
- Macario led the Cardinal with six shots, including four on frame. It was the fifth game of the season in which Macario has had at least five shots.
- Jahansouz's penalty kick save was her second of the season – she preserved a 0-0 score line in Stanford's season opener at Marquette (Aug. 18).