LOWELL, Mass. - A dominant team effort Thursday propelled No. 18 Stanford to a 5-1 win over UMass Lowell in the America East Tournament Quarterfinal round.
"This was an incredible team effort today," stated head coach Tara Danielson, "we were really committed to the goal at hand and to the team."
Stanford (11-7) came out dominant in the first half, crushing 16 shots at the UML (9-11) defense needing only 10 minutes to put one in the cage off a corner as Corinne Zanolli sent in a ball that tipped in for the 1-0 lead.
The Cardinal kept up the pressure throughout the half crushing 16 shots while Sarah Johnson set up Katie Keyser and Kristina Bassi set up Emma Alderton for two goals in the period. Phoebe Crosthwaite added a fourth on a reverse stick shot at the top of the circle to make it 4-0 headed into the break.
The River Hawks came out renewed in the second half, doubling their shot total from the first half forcing Maddy Belin to make two quick saves out of the gate. UML finally struck nearly 20 minutes into the period on a breakaway to make it 4-1. Frances Carstens set up the finale for Stanford with a ball across the circle that Corinne Zanolli finished to pull the score to its 5-1 final.
"The team today was dedicated to working for each other to ensure success for one another as noticed by our intensity," added Danielson. "Multiple players contributed to the result of today, showing the team's effort in working towards a united goal."
The Cardinal now enters Saturday's semifinals where it will face the winner of tomorrow's quarterfinal of Maine and Pacific. Game time for Saturday is set for 11:30 a.m. PT in Lowell, Mass.