STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1 Stanford extended its program-record win streak to 27 games on Friday night with a 3-1 win over Notre Dame at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
"It was a really good result, definitely a team effort. We got a lot of positive, quality contributions from a lot of players," said Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe. "We will regroup for a big one on Sunday – it's always a great opportunity to play one of the best teams in the country."
Jordan DiBiasi, Abby Greubel and Sophia Smith netted for the Cardinal (5-0-0) in front of a sellout crowd with Catarina Macario and Kiki Pickett picking up assists. Alison Jahansouz finished with three saves to earn the win, and Stanford outshot the Fighting Irish (4-3-0), 20-7.
47' | @AbbyGreubel's first career goal is a stunner. She doubles the lead just after halftime, catch the rest of the 2nd half on @Pac12Network.
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) September 8, 2018
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Madison Haley returned to the starting lineup, twice playing a teammate through on goal in the opening stages to no avail. DiBiasi got the breakthrough in the 32nd minute after the introduction of Macario, who found herself in a one-on-one situation on the right wing. Macario created a yard of space, bending an inch-perfect cross to the boot of DiBiasi, whose one-touch finish toward the near post left goalkeeper Brooke Littman no chance.
Immediately following halftime, Greubel scored her first career goal to double the lead. A bouncing ball sat up for the freshman near the top of the 18-yard line, and she laced the ball into the roof of the net past Littman for a stunning finish.
Notre Dame struck back in the 60th minute through Karin Muya. A long throw-in caused problems in the box as Jen Westendorf laid it off to Muya, whose curling effort careened off the far post and in past Jahansouz.
65' | @sophsssmith makes it look easy, but check out this interception and run by @kiki33pickett to tee up the freshman. #1 Stanford back on top by two on @Pac12Network.
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) September 8, 2018
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Stanford restored the lead five minutes later. Pickett intercepted a ball inside her own half, dribbling through an open midfield before finding a waiting Smith on the left flank. Smith cut inside onto her right foot, slotting home her second career goal to put Stanford back in front by two. The Cardinal continued to push for a fourth with the best scoring chance coming off the boot of Jojo Harber, who rattled the woodwork from outside the box in the 84th minute.
Macario and Smith led Stanford with three shots apiece while DiBiasi, Greubel, Kuhlmann and Harber each had two, while Jahansouz improved to 4-0-0 on the season.
No. 1 Stanford returns to action on Sunday when it hosts No. 2 North Carolina – Sunday's game is officially sold out. The game will air on Pac-12 Networks with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. PT. Live statistics will be available at GoStanford.com.
Cardinal Notes
- Stanford's win streak is the longest in program history. Previously, the Cardinal won 25 in a row during the 2009 season and from 2011-12.
- The win streak is tied for the seventh-longest in NCAA Division I history.
- Stanford improves to 7-7-3 all-time against the Fighting Irish.
- Michelle Xiao and Haley made their first appearances since Aug. 25.
- Sam Tran made her first appearance of the season off the bench.
--#GoStanford--