STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford finished the 2020 season at 11-3 overall and 6-2 in America East play despite reporting to campus in late February during its pandemic-shortened 2021 campaign.
The Cardinal continued its conference dominance, securing its fourth America East title in five seasons. Stanford made its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance overall and 11th over the last 14 seasons, defeating Miami (Ohio) 5-4 in overtime before falling to North Carolina 2-0 in the quarterfinals.
Stanford's success in the classroom was equally impressive, boasting the second-highest cumulative GPA (3.83) of any program in the nation with 16 players earning a spot on the NFHCA's National Academic Squad.
NCAA Quarterfinal FinishStanford's 2020 postseason path was identical to the 2019 campaign, as the Cardinal defeated Miami (Ohio) before falling to eventual national champion North Carolina in matches played at Chapel Hill, N.C. The Cardinal is now 3-18 all-time in NCAA competition.
Against Miami (Ohio), Corinne Zanolli's overtime game-winner was the difference, as Stanford built leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before the RedHawks controlled play throughout the second half to force overtime. Miami (Ohio) finished with advantages in shots (18-15) and penalty corners (12-7), with nearly all of that production coming over the final two periods.
Two days later against host North Carolina, Stanford was held scoreless for the first time all season while the Tar Heels owned edges in shots (16-6) and penalty corners (5-1). Hannah Santos came up with a career-high six saves to keep the Cardinal within striking distance while Zanolli, Kaylie Mings and Juli Porto combined for Stanford's six shots.
Best of Both WorldsCorinne Zanolli was named an NFHCA First-Team All-American for the second straight season, capping one of the most impressive careers in school history.
Zanolli, who also earned second-team accolades in 2018 as a sophomore, was named to the NFHCA's 16-member first team, joining Kelsey Harbin (2012-14), Alison Smith (1986-88) and Patsy Huntington (1981-84) as the only three-time All-Americans in program history.
The only four-time NFHCA All-West Region First Team selection in school history, Zanolli led the Cardinal in goals (20), assists (6), points (46) and shots (96) in 2020. Zanolli's 20 goals ranked second in the country despite playing six fewer games than national scoring leader Erin Matson of North Carolina.
One of four field hockey finalists for the Honda Sport Award, Zanolli was also named the America East Offensive Player of the Year for the third straight season and earned a spot on the all-conference first team and 10-member All-Academic Team. Zanolli was also a four-time all-conference selection.
The most prolific goal scorer in school history, Zanolli scored 94 career goals in 78 games, with the scoring total ranking 16th in NCAA history and the most for any player's career since 2017. Zanolli's final offensive career totals also include 26 assists, 214 points, 387 shots, 25 game-winning goals and 11 hat tricks.
Zanolli also excelled in the classroom, recognized as the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year for field hockey. Zanolli, who maintained a 3.70 GPA as a Political Science major, concluded her impressive career as a four-time National Academic Squad recipient and three-time America East Commissioner's All-Academic Honor Roll pick.
America East Dominance ContinuesSarah Johnson's game-winner in double overtime powered No. 19 Stanford past No. 20 Monmouth in the America East Championship final, securing the Cardinal a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Stanford was crowned America East champions for the fourth time in five seasons, also taking home the hardware in 2019, 2017 and 2016.
The 2020 America East championship game was the latest chapter in a recent hard-fought rivalry that has developed between Stanford and Monmouth. Johnson was also the hero of the 2019 America East Championship final, scoring the game-winner in a 2-1 Cardinal victory that took place on Monmouth's home field. Meanwhile, in the regular-season matchup on March 21 – also played on the Hawks' home turf – Corinne Zanolli's goal with 36 seconds remaining resulted in a 3-2 Stanford triumph.
Zanolli's game-high six shot attempts helped Stanford own a 15-10 edge, as the Cardinal increased its pressure in the overtime periods. Frances Carstens added three shots while Megan Frost chipped in with two.
Penalty corners were even at eight apiece, with Monmouth capitalizing twice on set pieces, including a goal in the 53rd minute that forced overtime.
Zanolli was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player while Frost, Johnson and Fenella Scutt earned spots on the All-Tournament Team.
Individual Leaders, Senior SuccessCorinne Zanolli led the Cardinal in goals (20), assists (6), points (46) and shots (96) while producing eight game-winning goals and converting both of her penalty stroke opportunities.
Juli Porto contributed six goals on 13 shots, 10 of which were on goal. Frances Carstens ranked third with five goals, to go along with four assists and 24 shot attempts. Kaylie Mings shared the team lead in assists with Zanolli. Sarah Johnson finished with four goals, four assists, 14 shots and two defensive saves.
Hannah Santos completed her first full season in goal, making 42 saves while sporting a 2.40 GAA and delivering four shutouts.
Stanford's senior class of Frances Carstens, Sarah Johnson, Kaylie Mings, Hannah Schofield and Corinne Zanolli led the Cardinal to a 54-24 overall record, 20-6 record in conference play, three America East championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
All-Conference HonorsStanford was recognized with seven total selections among the 2021 America East all-conference awards, highlighted by Corinne Zanolli being named Offensive Player of the Year for the third straight season. In addition to earning a spot on the all-conference first team, Zanolli was named to the 10-member All-Academic Team.
Joining Zanolli on the all-conference first team was Sarah Johnson, a two-time selection.
Megan Frost continued her development after a strong freshman season, earning a spot on the all-conference second team.
Caroline Guden was tabbed to the All-Rookie Team.
Isabelle Pilson joined Zanolli on the All-Academic Team.
Honor Roll Keeley Akagi
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Lily Croddick
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Megan Frost
- America East All-Championship Team
- All-America East Second Team
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
- NFHCA Scholar of Distinction
Caroline Guden
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
- America East All-Rookie Team
Liz Heckard
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Sarah Johnson
- NFHCA All-West Region Second Team
- America East All-Championship Team
- All-America East First Team
Kaylie Mings
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Haley Mossmer
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Isabelle Pilson
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
- NFHCA Scholar of Distinction
- America East Elite 18 Award
- America East All-Academic Team
Juli Porto
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Caroline Reinhart
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Hannah Santos
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Hannah Schofield
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Fenella Scutt
- America East All-Championship Team
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Lynn Vanderstichele
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Rose Winter
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
Corinne Zanolli
- NFHCA First Team All-American
- NFHCA All-West Region First Team
- Honda Sport Award finalist (field hockey)
- America East Championship Most Outstanding Player
- America East All-Championship Team
- America East Offensive Player of the Year
- All-America East First Team
- NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week (April 28)
- NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week (April 14)
- America East Offensive Player of the Week (April 13)
- America East Offensive Player of the Week (March 23)
- NFHCA National Academic Squad
- America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year (field hockey)
- America East All-Academic Team