STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford took an early lead but was unable to hold off No. 2 Washington's attack in response, falling 3-1 Thursday night at Cagan Stadium.
Stanford moves to 4-5-1 while Washington improves to 10-0-0.
Stanford had chances early in the first half, including a looping cross into an Ousseni Bouda header that met the Washington keeper in the chest in the opening minute of play.
"We played really well at the beginning of the game," said The Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "We had the first great chance with a great header. I think if he had miss-timed his header a little bit it would have gone in because he hammered it straight at the keeper."
Despite the early missed chance, Stanford struck first in the 13th minute when senior Zach Ryan placed his header into the top corner after a strong sequence from Andrew Aprahmian and Carlo Agostinelli,
"The first goal of the game was just a world class goal," added Gunn. "Our passing, movement, delivery, the finish, everything about it was just world class."
Washington was able to equalize quickly, however, in the following minute. Following a second goal from the penalty spot, Washington took a 2-1 advantage into the half.
"They're a phenomenal team, they were asking questions, and they deserved to get back into the game," said Gunn. "We couldn't get back playing like we like to."
Matt Frank was able to slow the Washington attack in the second half when he saved a second Washington penalty with a quick reaction stop, but it wasn't enough to spur Stanford's attack. The Huskies added a third goal on a breakway in the final minutes of regulation.
"A lot of great positives to look at, and now it's on to Sunday," said Gunn. "We need to lick our wounds and get ready to go."
Stanford returns to action at Cagan Stadium on Sunday, October 10 at 2 p.m. against No. 15 Oregon State.
