LOS ANGELES - Fueled by another dynamic offensive performance from Catarina Macario, No. 2 Stanford controlled tempo throughout during a 3-2 victory at No. 3 USC in a highly-anticipated conference showdown.
Billed as one of the nation's best early-season matchups, Saturday's contest was close in score but otherwise dominated by Stanford (8-1, 1-0 Pac-12). The Cardinal repeatedly applied pressure, holding advantages in shots (26-6) and corner kicks (3-1).
After a flurry of first-half scoring, Stanford clamped down defensively and pulled away from USC (7-1-1, 0-1 Pac-12) in the conference opener for both teams.
The Cardinal, which improved to 3-0 this season against ranked opponents, has now won eight of the last 10 against the Trojans. Meanwhile, Stanford booked an important victory in its quest for a fifth consecutive Pac-12 crown.
Stanford's offensive attack was powered by Macario, who ripped off a game-high nine shots, provided the equalizer in the 27th minute and delivered the game-winner in the 42nd minute.
Macario also assisted on Stanford's first goal, with Madison Haley heading it home to put the Cardinal ahead 1-0 at the 14:17 mark.
USC knotted it up in the 21st minute when Tara McKeown found the net and seized a 2-1 lead two minutes later following a goal from Penelope Hocking.
Macario's first goal at the 26:46 mark was assisted by Jojo Harber while the game-winner was made possible by Kiki Pickett.
Stanford returns to action next week, hosting Washington State (Thursday, Oct. 3) and Washington (Sunday, Oct. 6). The Cardinal will be back on The Farm for the first time since blanking San Jose State 7-0 back on Sept. 1.