STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1 Stanford completed a perfect 11-0-0 record in Pac-12 play and extended its win streak to 16 games with a 1-0 win over No. 22 California on Friday at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
Alison Jahansouz made three saves to earn her eighth shutout of the season, and Catarina Macario's 14th goal of the year proved to be the difference. The Cardinal (18-1-0 overall, 11-0-0 Pac-12) peppered the Golden Bears' (13-5-1, 6-4-1) net with 39 shots, including 16 on goal.
Stanford forced a career-high 14 saves from goalkeeper Emily Boyd, and registered 24 shots in the opening half. The Cardinal took six shots in the opening five minutes, with none testing Boyd. Stanford's first great scoring chance came in the eighth minute when Jaye Boissiere launched a curled shot from 25 yards, only to be denied by a fingertip save.
Stanford had another big scoring chance in the 17th minute when Macario teed up Jordan DiBiasi on the edge of the area, but her shot sailed just wide of the top corner. Two minutes later, DiBiasi, Macario and Civana Kuhlmann almost unlocked the Golden Bears' defense with some impressive link-up play, resulting in a dangerous effort by Kuhlmann that was saved onto the post.
Macario, DiBiasi and Madison Haley had chances in quick succession in the 34th minute before Kyra Carusa hit the crossbar in the 35th minute. Stanford finally got its breakthrough in the 43rd minute. DiBiasi pinged a sharp pass to the foot of Haley, whose clever flick found an onside Macario in space. Macario blasted a low shot past Boyd inside the far post for her team and conference-leading 14th goal of the season.
?? | Watch the only goal of this contest thus far -- @madog_9 feeds @catarinamacario for her 14th of the season. ??: @Pac12Network #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/Moq6iuor4X
— Stanford Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) November 4, 2017
In the second half, Stanford had several chances to double the lead. Tierna Davidson dribbled into space outside the box on 52 minutes, hitting a dangerous shot just beyond the crossbar. Center backs Davidson and Alana Cook were rock solid, defensively, throughout the night – Stanford has not lost since the pair began starting together on Sept. 1.
In the 65th minute, Michelle Xiao's free kick found the head of Cook, who sent it over the bar. Jahansouz made her third save of the night in the 81st minute, and some fantastic defending from Kiki Pickett down the stretch earned the Cardinal's 15th shutout of the season.
Six players – DiBiasi, Carusa, Khlmann, Andi Sullivan, Macario and Haley – finished the night with three or more shots. Prior to the match, graduating seniors Sullivan, Carusa, Mariah Lee and Jahansouz were honored as part of Senior Day.
Stanford returns to action next week in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Seeding and opponents will be determined on Monday at 1:30 p.m. PT with the selection show available at NCAA.com.Cardinal Notes
- Stanford finishes the regular season with a perfect 10-0-0 record at home – the Cardinal outscored opponents 45-0 in such contests.
- Stanford's perfect 11-0-0 clip in Pac-12 play is the first undefeated Pac-12 run since the 2012 season.
- The Cardinal finishes the regular season having scored 70 goals and conceded just six. Entering tonight, Stanford led Division I teams with 69 goals.
- Catarina Macario's goal was her 14th of the season – she entered the evening with at least a share of the Pac-12 lead in goals, assists and points.
- Stanford's shutout was its 15th in 19 games – the Cardinal entered tonight with the second best shutout percentage (0.778) in the nation.
- During its current 16-game win streak, the Cardinal is outscoring opponents 59-3.