Cardinal Routs Utah ValleyCardinal Routs Utah Valley
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Women's Soccer

Cardinal Routs Utah Valley

Alana Cook & Michelle Xiao Postgame Opens in a new window Paul Ratcliffe Postgame Opens in a new window Chris Lemay Postgame Opens in a new window Libby Weber Postgame Opens in a new window YouTube Opens in a new window

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1-seeded Stanford kicked off the NCAA Tournament with a record-setting 9-1 win over Utah Valley on Saturday night at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.

"I give Utah Valley full credit – they were a tough, courageous team and they really put pressure on us," said head coach Paul Ratcliffe. "This team has a lot of weapons -- they're coming from all different areas and that's what we like to see to start the postseason."

The Cardinal (19-1-0 overall, 11-0-0 Pac-12) set postseason program records in goals and goal difference, breaking the previous mark set with a 7-0 win over Sacramento State in 2007. Alison Jahansouz improved to 10-1-0 on the season, finishing the night with a season-high five saves.

The Wolverines (10-12-1, 5-2-0 WAC) pulled one back in the first half after Stanford took a 2-0 lead, but the Cardinal responded with seven unanswered to see out the win and passage to the second round.

Madison Haley, making her first career start, led Stanford with two goals, and Sam Tran came off the bench to net two of her own in the second half. Michelle Xiao led the Cardinal with three assists, while Catarina Macario and Civana Kuhlmann had two helpers of their own – Macario and Kuhlmann each as well.

Haley got things going in the sixth minute with a clever finish with the outside of her right boot. Stanford's pressure forced a poor pass from goalkeeper Brooklyn Nielsen – Kuhlmann pounced and set up Haley for the finish. Three minutes later, Kuhlmann forced another error from the Wolverines back line, closing down and tapping into an open net.

Libby Weber scored for Utah State to make it 2-1 on a corner kick, and Stanford responded with four more goals before the break. Jaye Boissiere netted her seventh goal of the year, striking from 30 yards into the top left corner in the 28th minute.

Two minutes later, Tierna Davidson headed home a Boissiere corner kick. One minute after that, Macario opened her postseason account with her 15th of the season – Xiao whipped in a brilliant cross to the far post and Macario calmly redirected it inside the far post. Belle Briede scored her first career goal in the 42nd minute to put a bow on a dominant 6-1 score line in the opening half.

After the break, Haley doubled her tally in the 49th minute, combining once again with fellow freshman Kuhlmann. Tran wrapped up the scoring with goals in the 84th and 87th minutes – Macario assisted both goals, one of which was a curled finish from the top of the 18-yard line.

The Cardinal outshot the Wolverines 33-11, including an 18-6 advantage in shots on goal. Nielsen finished with nine saves, while Stanford held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.

Stanford returns to action on Friday when it plays host to Auburn at 7 p.m. PT. The winner will face the winner of Florida State and Arizona, who face off at 4:30 p.m. at Cagan Stadium.

Cardinal Notes

  • Stanford's 79 goals on the season is one off the program record, set in 2009.
  • Jahansouz's start and win were the first of her postseason career – Stanford alternated between Jahansouz and Lauren Rood throughout the regular season.
  • Andi Sullivan was absent while on duty with the United States Women's National Team – the squad takes on Canada on Sunday at 6 p.m. PT on FS1.
  • With 42 points, Macario passes Erin Martin, Sarah Rafanelli and Julie Foudy on the single-season points list – she is currently tied with Marcie Ward at seventh, all-time.
  • Macario's 15 goals are a record for Stanford freshmen – she ties with Martin and Foudy for ninth, all-time.
  • Xiao became the ninth player in program history to record three or more assists in a game – only two Cardinal (Jennifer Rowland, Sarah Rafanelli) have had four.
  • Paul Ratcliffe improves to 38-11-4 in postseason play.
  • Stanford's win was its 17th straight – the streak dates back to Stanford's 4-0 win over No. 10 Georgetown on Sept. 1.
  • Utah Valley's goal was just the seventh Stanford has conceded all season – four of the seven goals allowed on the year have come via penalty kick, free kick or corner kick.