STANFORD, Calif. – A career-best two goals from Marissa Cicione paved the way for No. 13 Stanford as the Cardinal took a 3-1 win over No. 22 UMass Sunday afternoon at Varsity Turf.
Stanford (2-2) wasted no time in attacking the UMass (2-2) defense as Emma Christus sent a pass clear across the circle in the second minute of play that Cicione put a one-touch shot on that landed in the back left corner of the cage.
The Minutewomen held the advantage in penalty corners in the game, with 11 to Stanford's one. The Cardinal made it count though in the 10th minute of the first half as Sarah Johnson inserted the corner that Katie Keyser set up for Corinne Zanolli to demolish into the top shelf of the net.
Kelsey Bing kept the Minutewomen attack at bay with six saves before she was replaced by Maddy Belin halfway through the second half.
Stanford's offense wasn't finished though as an incredible play saw Keyser lay out to stop a ball from going out to set up Cicione, who crossed it to Zanolli. The UMass goalie was able to stop the first shot, but the rebound bounced the way of Cicione where the Cardinal finished the goal with a shot to the right corner.
Belin faced a tough test in the cage for the Cardinal as the Minutewomen were finally able to find the back of the net with a cross from the right side of the turf that a one-touch shot gave UMass its only goal of the game.
The Cardinal returns to action Monday as it sets to take on No. 20 Harvard. Game time is set for 1 p.m. PT and will be aired live on Pac-12 Networks.
