STANFORD, Calif - Stanford recorded its seventh win in the last eight games in a 17-5 defeat of the Oregon Ducks on Sunday. The win moves the Cardinal to the top of the Pac-12 conference, with a 6-1 conference record and an 8-5 record overall.
Oregon falls to 3-9 and 1-6 in conference games.
Stanford put together its best defensive performance by the numbers against Oregon on Sunday. By holding the Ducks to five goals, the Cardinal set a new season-best mark for goals allowed, with the previous best at eight.
Stanford shot out of the gates with a staggering eight-goal first period. Not only was the Cardinal firing offensively, but the defense came prepared to shut down the opposition as well.
The Cardinal defense held Oregon to only three goals in the first half before shutting out the Ducks in the third quarter. This was the first time this season Stanford held an opponent scoreless during a period.
Kara Rahaim led the back line from between the pipes, allowing only three goals and recording 11 saves before Olivia Geoghan took over. Caroline Mondiello topped the team in caused turnovers, forcing three during the game.
On the offensive side of the ball, Ali Baiocco led the team in scoring for the second straight game, tallying four goals on Sunday. The fifth-year captain had a hat trick within 11 minutes of game time, scoring three of Stanford's eight first quarter strikes.
The Cardinal spread the rock around well against Oregon as 10 different players netted a goal in the dominant win. Ailish Kelly recorded a hat trick of her own while Dani Jacobstein and Katy Gilbert both found the back of the net twice.
Stanford kept the pressure on Oregon throughout the contest, scoring four more in the second and three in the third period. In the fourth quarter, more of the Cardinal seniors entered the contest, making for an exciting finish involving the four and five-year team members on the field.
There were a handful of season firsts for Stanford in the final period. Kelleigh Keating assisted Dani Jacobstein's first goal in the period, the first assist of the season for Keating and the first goal of the season for Jacobstein.
Jacobstein's second goal in the quarter was set up by Sophia McMahon, her first assist of the season as well.
Ashley Humphrey led all Cardinal in assists in the game with three, moving her season total to 55. Ali Baiocco's four strikes helped her take the lead on the team for goals this season with 38.
Following the game, Stanford's nine seniors and their family members took to the field to honor their accomplishments and dedication to Stanford Lacrosse.
The Cardinal will be back in action against ASU and USC next weekend in Tempe, Arizona, and Los Angeles.