STANFORD, Calif. - No. 1 Stanford produced a pair of victories on Saturday's opening day of the Stanford Invitational, defeating No. 10 Arizona State 12-8 and No. 6 Michigan 14-4.
Competing at Avery Aquatic Center for the first time since as reigning NCAA champions, the Cardinal (5-0) edged the Sun Devils in the first match of the day at Belardi Pool before cruising past the Wolverines in the nightcap.
Stanford received goals from 11 different players over the two games combined.
The Cardinal returns to action on Sunday, hosting No. 4 California at 12:30 p.m. Three other matches are scheduled, beginning with Michigan/Arizona State at 8 a.m.
No. 1 Stanford 12, No. 10 Arizona State 8
Hat tricks from Jenna Flynn and Ryann Neushul paced Stanford to a 12-8 victory in the opening match of the tournament played at Belardi Pool.
Trailing 4-2 early in the second period, Stanford ripped off six consecutive goals before Arizona State finally broke through again at the 6:12 mark of the third quarter.
Shot attempts were even at 26-26 while the Cardinal converted 4-of-6 on the power play compared to the Sun Devils' 4-of-10 clip.
Flynn's second of three goals gave Stanford its first lead at 5-4 with 3:32 left in the second period before Jewel Roemer and Neushul provided some insurance before halftime. Flynn completed her hat trick with 3:03 remaining in the third period to extend the Cardinal's lead to 10-6.
Maya Avital finished with 14 saves while stopping one penalty.
Stanford Goals: Jenna Flynn 3, Ryann Neushul 3, Aria Fischer 2, Jewel Roemer 2, Hannah Constandse 1, Celeste Wijnbelt 1.
No. 1 Stanford 14, No. 6 Michigan 4
Maggie Hawkins, Katie Lyons and Ryann Neushul led the way with three goals apiece and the defense did the rest in a 13-5 victory to close out the evening inside the stadium.
Stanford's stifling defense was the difference. Tied 2-2 at the 4:53 mark of the first period, the Cardinal held the Wolverines scoreless for the next 23 minutes into the fourth quarter. Michigan also had no answer on the power play, converting only once in 11 attempts.
The Cardinal offense took advantage during that stretch, taking a 5-2 lead after the first eight minutes and extending it to 8-2 by halftime.
Hawkins' first two goals accounted for the only scoring in the third period, resulting in a 10-2 Stanford lead.
Katie Lyons added three goals while also dishing out a game-high four assists.
Maya Avital made six saves before Jackie King covered the final four minutes.
Stanford Goals: Maggie Hawkins 3, Katie Lyons 3, Ryann Neushul 3, Aria Fischer 2, Christina Hicks 1, Skyler Jones 1, Sophie Wallace 1.