CHICAGO – The Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe earned his 400th career head coaching victory on Sunday afternoon as No. 6 Stanford (6-1-0) went on the road and defeated DePaul (1-5-0) 3-1 from a rain-soaked Wish Field.
With the victory, Ratcliffe's head coaching ledger sits at 400-99-39 as he navigates his 25th season – including his 20th at Stanford.
Freshman Lumi Kostmayer broke a scoreless match in the 23rd minute when a DePaul miscommunication on the back line left Kostmayer one-on-one with the Blue Demon goalkeeper Elena Milam. Milam came out to challenge the play, but Kostmayer slotted a shot past her to the far post to collect her team-best fourth goal of the year.
Milam did well to keep DePaul in the match on Sunday, eventually recording nine saves while facing 26 shots – including 12 on goal. Stanford has now managed 20+ shots in all but two matches this year.
The Cardinal broke through again in the 59th minute as captain Sierra Enge won a ball and dribbled toward the top of the box. The fifth-year senior fired a left-footed shot at the top of the arc and delivered it past the dive of Milam to run the Cardinal advantage to 2-0. For Enge, the goal was her first of the season and fifth in her career.
It took just a little over a minute for Stanford to add to the lead as Julia Leontini was tackled in the box to earn a penalty kick at 59:49 on the clock. Leontini took it herself and recorded her second goal of the season and third of her career.
Making her first career start, sophomore Haley Craig faced 11 shots, including five on goal, while making four saves. Craig pitched a shutout through the first 86 minutes, but Katie Godden spoiled the party with a goal in the 87th minute for the Blue Demons.
Stanford will return home next Thursday to host San Diego at 2 p.m. from Cagan Stadium.