STANFORD, Calif. - Playing its first exhibition of the season, along with the first athletic event of the academic year at Stanford, the Cardinal impressed in a 4-0 victory over CSU Bakersfield.
Redshirt sophomore Carlo Agostinelli scored twice for Stanford, while sophomores Aiden Weaver and Layton Purchase had a goal apiece. Weaver also earned an assist on Agostinelli's first goal, as did Ousseni Bouda, playing his first match since 2019.
"It's always very exciting to start a new season and I know the players were thrilled to get back out there at Cagan, especially in front of fans and against another team," said Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "I thought from start to finish the team played very well - it was exciting both to see a lot of returners showing they've really kicked on and matured into positive leadership roles along with the new young players competing for time and opportunity on the field."
Stanford controlled the run of play from the opening kickoff, tilting the field in its favor early on. While the Cardinal was able to create opportunities in the final third, it took until the first half's waning moments to find the back of the net, as a shot on target from Weaver deflected off the CSU Bakersfield goalkeeper and was hammered home by Agostinelli.
The second half saw an onslaught from the Stanford attack, as Purchase scored on an assist from Bouda at the far post in the 56th minute, followed by an open-field tackle and breakway from Weaver for a score just over a minute later. Agostinelli took advantage of a penalty kick situation in the 62nd minute to give Stanford its final 4-0 result.
In all, 26 players from Stanford saw time on the field.
"Considering it was only the fourth day of preseason, we moved the ball very well and scored some tremendous goals," added Gunn.
The Cardinal split time between all four goalkeepers in the cage, with sophomore Eliot Jones earning the start.
"All in all, a very successful day for the program and that helps us get ready for the season. We're looking forward to the next game and what we hope to be another tremendous campaign ahead."
Stanford will play its second of two exhibitions next Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. vs. Santa Clara.