STANFORD, Calif. – Nothing was getting past the Stanford defense on Friday.
The Cardinal (5-5-2, 4-3-1) held 21st-ranked USC to its second-lowest shot total of the season in a scoreless draw at Maloney Field at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. Katie Meyer put together one of her best outings of the year, making seven saves, while the Cardinal backline consistently limited chances by the opposition.
Stanford's defense held the Trojans (6-3-2, 5-3-1 Pac-12) to one shot off corner kicks, as the Cardinal were quickly able to cover and clear the opposition's set pieces. USC's lone shot off a corner kick – a floater in the 104th minute – nearly went in for a goal, but Kennedy Wesley was able to block the shot on the line with her right leg.
Entering the final 15th minutes of regulation – a segment Stanford has scored seven goals in this season – Sierra Enge nearly broke the match in Stanford's favor. Julia Leontini sent a corner kick from the left side, and the ball was headed to just outside the penalty box. Enge stepped and fired off a shot that hit the left post – mere feet from going into the net.
Stanford will close out the home slate on Sunday, hosting No. 4 UCLA. Kickoff against the Bruins is at 2 p.m. PT, with the match airing on Pac-12 Network. The Cardinal will honor Kiki Pickett prior to the start of the match.
