STANFORD, Calif. – Thomas Williamson's goal in the 56th minute was the difference as No. 4 Stanford dropped its regular-season finale to Cal, 1-0, on Thursday night at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
"It was a really disappointing result since I thought we played well in the first half and had good position heading into the break," said the Knowles Family Director of Men's Jeremy Gunn. "Cal had a strong 10 minutes to start the second half and credit them for taking their chance during that time. It's bitterly disappointing to end the regular season like this, but maybe we can learn a lesson from tonight."
The Cardinal (13-2-3, 6-2-2 Pac-12) outshot the Golden Bears (8-6-3, 4-4-2), 13-9, and had a 2-1 advantage on corner kicks but failed to capitalize on its chances on either side of Cal's goal. Andrew Thomas made four saves and Zach Ryan led the Cardinal with five shots.
Ryan had the first chance of the night in the eighth minute, heading Logan Panchot's free kick wide of the far post. Stanford had a pair of chances in the 36th minute before the first half ended goalless.
Cam Cilley won the ball back in the 55th minute and set in motion a Stanford attack, but Ryan's shot was dragged wide. Seconds later, the Golden Bears counter attacked, resulting in a penalty kick, which Williamson converted.
Bouda's cross in the 61st minute found Ryan in the box but he nodded it wide of the far post. Cilley had a scoring opportunity in the 74th minute, sending it over the bar from the top of the 18-yard line. Stanford had chances in the 79th and 82nd minutes but failed to bag the equalizer before the full-time whistle.
With the loss, Stanford falls out of the Pac-12 title race, having entered the night one point behind Washington, who plays Oregon State on Friday night.
"We weren't assertive enough at the start of the second half and we paid for that," added Gunn. "We obviously wanted to win the conference again, but give Washington credit for winning the Pac-12. We made them sweat and made them work, but ultimately came up short."
