DAVIS, Calif. - No. 18 Stanford started fast and closed late, holding off UC Davis 7-3 on Friday afternoon, reaching the midpoint of a three-game, six-day stretch.
Stanford (6-0, 4-0 America East) erupted for five goals over the first 20 minutes, took some punches from UC Davis (1-7, 0-5 America East) in the third period and did just enough to ice the victory over the final quarter.
Less than two weeks after blanking the Aggies 3-0 at the Varsity Turf in a non-counting match, Friday's result kept the Cardinal unbeaten with four games remaining in conference play.
Stanford received four goals from Corinne Zanolli, who notched her first hat trick of the season and 10th in her career. The most prolific goal scorer in school history, Zanolli has scored nine goals this season and 83 through 70 career games.
Also pacing the Cardinal's first-half attack was Kaylie Mings, who found the cage twice on four attempts while also finishing the game with two assists.
After UC Davis responded with three unanswered goals in the third period, Stanford received some breathing room when Sarah Johnson extended the lead to 6-3 at the 48:33 mark before Zanolli capped the scoring five minutes later.
Stanford next hosts California on Sunday, April 11, at 6 p.m. in the final game at the Varsity Turf.