STANFORD, Calif. – The offensive outburst continued for the Cardinal Sunday night. One game after clinching its fourth consecutive conference championship, Corey Baird scored twice and No. 4 Stanford beat San Diego State 4-0 at Cagan Stadium.
Stanford scored nine times in its two home wins this weekend against the Aztecs (5-13-0, 0-9-0 Pac-12) and UCLA and upped its season average to 2.35 goals per game. The Cardinal (14-2-1, 8-0-1 Pac-12) has already scored a school-record 25 times in Pac-12 play, besting the previous mark of 22 set in 2012, and put in three or more in a game nine times this season, the program's most since 2001 (13).
"We've just matured as a group attacking-wise," head coach Jeremy Gunn said. "We only had certain ways to score last year and this year we're more well-rounded and different players can score in different ways. We have so many more weapons. The team has continued to be rock solid at the back, but they're also enjoying their attacking soccer and looking to score goals, which is what the game is all about."
The maturity was on full display Sunday night. In the seventh minute Bryce Marion stole the ball near midfield, dribbled up the right side and led Corey Baird to the top corner of the six. Baird cut the ball across his body and beat SDSU's keeper to the far post for Stanford's first score.
Sam Werner extended the lead in the 20th when Drew Skundrich poked the ball away as the Aztecs were looking to go on the counter. Werner dribbled into the box between three defenders and used his right to strike a low liner to the near side.
20' | Sam slots home Stanford's second.
— Stanford M Soccer (@StanfordMSoccer) November 6, 2017
Stanford 2 - SDSU 0
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Foster Langsdorf, currently tied atop the Pac-12 record books with 34 career goals, nearly set himself apart in the 53rd. Charlie Wehan played Langsdorf over the top down the right sideline and the senior striker ran onto it, but his shot slammed off the post.
The near miss didn't phase Langsdorf, who five minutes later drew a defender to him at the top of the 18 and laid the ball off to fellow senior Baird, who crushed his shot into the side netting at the far side for his third career brace. Amir Bashti closed out the scoring in the 70th minute. Wehan used moves to place himself in the midst of four defenders, but still had enough wherewithal to slip it to Bashti near the spot. Bashti finished his fancy footwork with a left-footed poke to add to his tally for the third time in the past four games.
Third career brace for Baird.
— Stanford M Soccer (@StanfordMSoccer) November 6, 2017
?? » @Pac12Network #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/vS7q7qQmW6
There was no hangover from Stanford's conference championship celebration on Thursday night and with one match remaining the Cardinal has the opportunity to do what it has never done, go unbeaten in the Pac-12.
"You never know what team is going to show up after a night like that," Gunn added. "Are you complacent or are you still hungry? I talked with the team and said we weren't going to have a big celebration on Senior Day for two reasons: this isn't going to be your last game and there's lots more in us. I think the great thing with this group is they know how well they've done, but there's still more in them. They're humble and they're desperate to continuing playing together."
Stanford's six seniors - Baird, Nico Corti, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Langsdorf, Marion and Skundrich – were honored in a pregame ceremony along with their families. In four years with that group leading the way, the Cardinal has gone 60-10-12, won four Pac-12 championships and two NCAA titles.
"They've been a wonderful cornerstone of the program the last few years," Gunn commented. "What they have already accomplished as part of this program is amazing, but I'd just like for them to keep going this year. We'll be able to talk about their careers for eternity. Right now I want them to keep playing as many games as possible because we love having them here." Stanford closes out its regular season at home on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. when it hosts Cal for a match broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.