STANFORD, Calif. – A phenomenal career-best hat trick from Kristina Bassi and a complete team effort powered No. 17 Stanford to a 4-0 win over rival Cal Sunday in America East action.
The Cardinal (9-7, 3-2 AE) came out with a purpose in the first half as it crushed 10 shots at the Cal (9-7, 4-2 AE) defense while showcasing unrelenting urgency and poise. Stanford struck in the 19th minute with Phoebe Crosthwaite dominating the baseline to send a perfect pass to Bassi for the first goal of the game.
Stanford wasted no time adding another goal after a great tackle and pass from Millie Stefanowicz and a move by Corinne Zanolli that left the Cardinal rookie on her own to send a shot to into the bottom left corner of the cage to make it 2-0.
Bassi would strike again in the half with nearly a minute left as Frances Carstens juked a defender to send a ball across that Bassi finished to send it to the break with a 3-0 Cardinal lead.
Stanford's defense found its rhythm again in its third shutout of the season and the 10th of Kelsey Bing's career by stymieing the Bear offense. With the Cardinal in control of the game, Bassi made it the game of her career as a cross from Zanolli was able to push across the circle for the finish to pull the score to its 4-0 final resting place.
The Cardinal returns to action for one last regular-season game next Saturday on The Farm as it faces UC Davis at 6 p.m. PT in America East action.
