STANFORD, Calif. – Top-seeded Stanford advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 win over Auburn on Friday night at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
The Cardinal (20-1-0, 11-0-0 Pac-12) got second-half goals from Kyra Carusa and Catarina Macario, and Alison Jahansouz made two saves for her ninth shutout of the season. Macario's goal, Stanford's second of the game in the 67th minute, set a program record for goals in a season with 81, breaking the previous record set in 2009.
Stanford outshot the Tigers (8-7-5, 4-2-4 SEC) 31-2 and held a commanding 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. It was Stanford's 18th win in a row, but the Cardinal was stymied for the opening 45 minutes.
Macario had the first scoring chance of the game in the second minute, dribbling past two defenders and unleashing from outside the area, only to be denied by Sarah Le Beau. Five minutes later, Macario had another chance saved by Le Beau.
In the 16th minute, Andi Sullivan made a dangerous run from midfield and curled a speculative effort just wide of the far post – Sullivan returned to the starting lineup after missing Round 1 while on duty with the United States National Team. Macario nearly added to her impressive collection of goals with a stinging volley from outside of the box in the 33rd minute, sending it just over the bar.
Stanford piled on the pressure close to the end of the half, but Auburn's defense held strong to enter the break at 0-0. Macario struck a 25-yard free kick in the 49th minute, which curled over the bar before Carusa broke the tie in the 58th minute. Alana Cook played a long ball over the top, which Carusa ran onto and chipped over Le Beau.
Here's a look at Catarina's 16th goal of the season, which moves her into a tie for 6th all-time with @ChristenPress , @17TaylorMade & Sarah Rafanelli on the single-season list. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/oV0gpN3Ake
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) November 18, 2017
Nine minutes later, Macario doubled the lead after a menacing run by Sam Tran up the right wing. Tran pulled it back to Macario inside the box, and the freshman did the rest. She beat her marker before slamming it inside the far post for her team-leading 16th strike of the season.
Madison Haley nearly made it 3-0 in the 78th minute, and Stanford enjoyed a majority of possession down the stretch to see out its 16th clean sheet of the season.
The Cardinal returns to action on Sunday when it plays host to Florida State at 1 p.m. PT. Prior to Stanford's win over Auburn, the Seminoles earned a 2-0 win over Arizona at Cagan Stadium. The game will air live on Facebook, and live statistics will be available at GoStanford.com.
It's official! Stanford sets a new program record with 81 goals in 2017. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/Drl6lCe1zY
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) November 18, 2017
Cardinal Notes
- Stanford's second goal was the 81st of the season, setting a new program record – the previous record of 80 goals was set in 2009.
- Macario's goal moved her up two single-season top-10 lists – she is now tied for sixth in goals (16) with Sarah Rafanelli, Christen Press and Lindsay Taylor, and passes Press for sixth all-time in points (44).
- Stanford holds a 2-1-0 all-time record against Florida State – the most recent meeting came in the 2014 College Cup semifinals, with the Seminoles advancing, 2-0.
- Sunday's game will feature two of the nation's leading scorers – Macario has 16 for Stanford, and Deyna Castellanos scored both goals on Friday to give her 19 on the season.
- Stanford improves to 12-0-0 at home on the season with a 56-1 goal difference.
- During the Cardinal's current 18-game win streak, Stanford is outscoring opponents 70-4.