STANFORD, Calif. – Maya Doms' goal in the 18th minute and a gritty performance by No. 2 Stanford's back line was the difference in a 1-0 win over No. 16 UCLA on Saturday night at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
"These are the kind of games that will prepare us for the postseason," said the Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe. "Tonight was an incredible atmosphere and we couldn't be more appreciative of the support from our fans. They drive us forward and it's always satisfying to deliver a positive result for them."
The Cardinal (13-1-0, 6-0-0 Pac-12) outshot the Bruins (9-4-1, 3-3-0), 14-9, and relied on its back line to hold a lead for 72 minutes after Doms scored the only goal of the evening. UCLA attempted a headed clearance but it fell into the path of Doms, who picked her spot and planted it in the top corner past the outstretched Teagan Micah.
WATCH | A long-distance celebration for a long-distance header. @MayaDoms has us in front on @Pac12Network.
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) October 20, 2019
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Stanford had its chances to double the lead but the Bruins were up to the task, defensively, for the remainder of the night. Sophia Smith's shot forced a diving save in the 33rd minute, which was Stanford's best chance of the half to make it 2-0 before the break.
In the 50th minute, Madison Haley's volley drifted wide of the far post and, in the 55th minute, Catarina Macario's shot nearly grazed the top of the crossbar. UCLA started to send more players forward in the final third of the match, but the Cardinal back line stood tall.
Belle Briede blocked a goal-bound shot in the 68th minute before UCLA's best scoring chance of the game in the 85th minute. Ashley Sanchez was through on goal but her shot was too high and drifted over the bar.
No. 2 Stanford returns to action on Thursday when it takes on Colorado in Boulder, Colorado at 2 p.m. PT. The Cardinal then wraps up its regular-season road schedule on Sunday when it visits Utah at 11 a.m. – both games will air live on Pac-12 Networks.
Cardinal Notes
- Doms' goal was her third of the season and first career game winner.
- It was just the third game of the season in which Macario did not register a point.