PULLMAN, Wash. – Freshman Mia Bhuta's first career goal in the 10th minute proved enough for the Cardinal on Friday night as No. 4 Stanford (8-0-1, 1-0-0 Pac-12) shut out No. 24 Washington State (7-2-0, 0-1-0 Pac-12) 1-0 from Lower Soccer Field to open Pac-12 play for both sides.
After a long ball was played across the box and was corralled by Andrea Kitahata near the end line, the redshirt sophomore cut the ball back toward the top of the box before sending a right-footed cross in toward goal where Bhuta delivered a header to the near post for the score.
Senior Ryan Campbell was outstanding in goal for the Cardinal, turning away every opportunity for the Cougars en route to her fourth shutout of the year. The reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week was credited with two saves in the victory as Washington State posted a 10-8 advantage in shots.
Campbell's most notable effort came in the 39th minute as Brianna McReynolds broke free on a through ball that put her one-on-one with Campbell near the top of the box. Sprinting off her line, Campbell batted away the shot near the penalty spot and pounced on top of the rebound before any further threat could develop.
Cougar goalkeeper Nadia Cooper was also stellar in goal on the opposite end, recording three saves while allowing the one goal.
The Cardinal will continue Pac-12 play next week, welcoming Arizona State to Cagan Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Thursday, September 28.
GAME NOTES
- The shutout victory is the fifth of the season for Stanford and the Cardinal improves to 4-0-0 in one-goal matches this year
- The clean sheet is the 12th of Ryan Campbell's career
- The Cardinal improves to 3-0-1 against ranked opponents this year, and managed its first road win over a ranked foe since a 1-0 victory at No. 22 Washington on March 12, 2021
- Now 8-0-1 to start the season, and with the 2022 campaign coming to an end via a penalty kick shootout, the Cardinal is unbeaten in its last 21 matches (18-0-3) and has posted 11 shutouts in the last 17 contests
- The Cardinal has played to a 164-84 advantage in shots this year and has outscored the opposition 22 -4
- Friday's match is just the second this year that Stanford has not managed more shots than its opponent (14-13 at No. 13 Georgetown on September 10)
- Adding Mia Bhuta after her goal on Friday night, 11 different Cardinal have scored a goal and 14 players have factored into points
- Including a 6-3 advantage on Friday, Stanford has managed more corners than its opponent in all but one match this year (UC Irvine 8-6 on August 19)