IRVINE, Calif. - No. 1 Stanford racked up two more wins on Saturday at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, defeating two top-10 opponents in No. 9 UC Santa Barbara and No. 3 Hawaii.
The Cardinal, now 12-0 for the sixth time in program history, will face No. 4 USC in the championship on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m.
No. 1 Stanford 11 - No. 9 UC Santa Barbara 8
Both teams exerted strong effort on defense to open the match, as Stanford's first score came nearly five minutes from the opening ball drop, and the Cardinal held the Gauchos scoreless in the first period. Shots were missed, pressured, blocked, deflected and stolen, as offense strugged for each side.
Things picked up in the second, as the Cardinal took a 3-1 lead behind goals from Kayla Constandse and Sarah Klass, before UCSB evened things up right before the half. Stanford took advantage of its final possession though, netting a goal with 17 seconds remaining from Chloe Harbilas.
The Gauchos would go on a 3-0 run, taking a 6-4 lead over the Cardinal in the third period, as Stanford struggled with turnovers. The Cardinal eeked out goals from Harbilas and Hannah Shabb, but faced a 7-6 deficit headed into the final eight minutes.
There, Stanford would flex its muscle, exploding for five goals, including three from Sarah Klass, to jump ahead of UCSB 11-7, completely shutting down the Gauchos' offensive attack for the victory.
Emalia Eichelberger played all 32 minutes in goal for the Cardinal, collecting 12 saves.
No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 9 UC Santa Barbara
Feb. 22, 2020 • Irvine, Calif.
STAN 1 – 3 – 2 – 5 = 11
UCSB 0 – 3 – 4 – 1 = 8
UC Santa Barbara Goals: Drew Halvorson 2, Amanda Legaspi 2, Kate Coski 1, Courtney Heydorff 1, Mollie Simmons 1, Sarah Snyder 1
Stanford Goals: Sarah Klass 4, Chloe Harbilas 4, Kayla Constandse, Hannah Shabb, Madison Stamen
No. 1 Stanford 12 - No. 3 Hawaii 9
The Cardinal shot out early on offense, responding to an early goal from the Rainbow Wahine to go up 3-1, featuring two goals from freshman Hannah Constandse. Another goal from Sarah Klass, and a buzzer beater shot from Hannah Shabb to end the period had the Cardinal up 5-3 after one.
Stanford extended its lead to 6-3 with a goal from Klass to start the second, but Hawaii clawed back within one midway through the period. Madison Stamen was key for the Cardinal before halftime, scoring twice to sandwich a goal from UH, entering the break up 8-6.
Neither team scored in the opening moments of the third period, as defense reigned supreme, but Stanford featured two straight goals after Hawaii cut it to one to maintain its cushion.
The Rainbow Wahine would threaten once more to open the fourth, cutting the lead to 10-9, but the Cardinal would end the game with strong defense and another goal each from Klass and Stamen to secure the victory.
Emalia Eichelberger picked up the win in goal for the Cardinal with nine saves.
No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 3 Hawaii
Feb. 22, 2020 • Irvine, Calif.
STAN 5 – 3 – 2 – 2 = 12
UH 3 – 3 – 2 – 1 = 9
Hawaii Goals: Carmen Baringo 3, Bernadette Doyle 2, Alba Bonamusa Boix 1, Lucia Gomez de la Puenta 1, Szonja Kuna 1, Lalelei Mata'afa 1
Stanford Goals: Sarah Klass 3, Madison Stamen 3, Hannah Constandse 2, Hannah Shabb 2, Chloe Harbilas 1, Katie Lyons 1
