STANFORD, Calif. – Continuing its unbeaten run to begin conference play, Stanford men's soccer ran past UCLA for a 4-0 shutout on Saturday at Cagan Stadium. The Cardinal improves to 5-0 (3-0 Pac-12) on the season, while the Bruins fall to 1-3-1 (0-2-1 Pac-12).
Four Stanford players found the back of the net, with Zach Ryan netting his team-leading fifth of the season while also dishing an assist. Keegan Tingey, Jack O'Brien and Charlie Wehan also scored, with Wehan joining Ryan on the score sheet with a goal and an assist. Mark Fisher dished a pair of helpers, while Will Richmond assisted the game's opener.
"I thought it was a fantastic game. In the first half I did not think we were quite clean enough on the ball, as a result we had to work hard defensively in the first half," said Jeremy Gunn, The Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer. "Going in at halftime 1-0 up was good for us, we had a great first goal. I thought the second half was just an incredible team performance"
Tingey gave Stanford the lead in the 40th minute, taking a cross from Richmond and slotting a shot into the lower corner. Stanford outshot the Bruins in the opening period, 7-1, and took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Stanford peppered UCLA for three goals and 13 shots in the second half, with the three scores coming in a stretch of 14 minutes. O'Brien volleyed home a cross from Wehan to double the advantage to 2-0 in the 61st minute, while Wehan scored himself just six minutes later with a diving header. Ryan, who assisted Wehan's goal, capped the scoring with a rocket past the goalkeeper in the 76th minute.
"We stepped up to another gear, and were crisper and cleaner on the ball," continued Gunn. "We scored some fantastic goals, and created some other unbelievable chances."
Stanford returns to action on Saturday, March 13 at home against Oregon State. The kick-off is set for a 3 p.m. start on Pac-12 Networks.