STANFORD, Calif. - No. 10 Stanford earned a 2-0 victory over local rival Santa Clara on Monday night at Cagan Stadium. The victory extended Stanford's nonconference unbeaten streak to 18 straight matches dating back to last season (15-0-3).
Stanford improves to 6-1-3 on the season while the Broncos drop to 4-6-2.
"A fantastic performance from start to finish," said the Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "I felt that we were composed on the ball and we were always looking to score goals."
Stanford was on the front foot from the first whistle, firing the first five shots of the match and earning three corners within the first 20 minutes of play.
The best chance of the first half came in the 25th minute when Shane de Flores drew a penalty. Will Reilly stepped up to take the shot, but the Santa Clara Keeper made a diving save to keep the game scoreless.
"In the first half, I thought we played really well and had some great chances, had a penalty saved, and we really looked like we were good for a goal," explained Gunn. "Defensively, we weren't giving up many chances at all."
Stanford kept the pressure on for the remainder of the first half, ultimately firing 10 shots at the Santa Clara net, compared to only two shots from the visitors.
"In the second half, we wanted to keep going, not get frustrated, and keep doing the same things we had been doing, and we were successful in doing that," said Gunn. "We thoroughly deserved the goals."
It only took six minutes for the Cardinal to find the lead in the second half, as Layton Purchase scored his first goal of the season. Fletcher Bank provided the initial service into the box, connecting with Noah Adnan who headed it along to Purchase for the score.
Then, in the 57th minute, Fletcher Bank was the goalscorer, doubling the lead. Fantastic ball movement from Bank, Zach Bohane, and Shane de Flores cut open the Bronco defense, leaving Bank open to slot home the ball to the far corner.
Stanford maintained offensive pressure through the rest of the game to the tune of 22 total shots, including 10 on goal. The Santa Clara keepers were forced to make six saves on the night and face 12 corners from the home team.
Defensively, the Cardinal only allowed five shots, two of which were on goal and saved by Rowan Schnebly, who earned the shutout in 90 minutes of action. Stanford didn't allow a single corner during the match as well.
"Itt was a good shutout for the defenders, I thought they played well," added Gunn. "And a good attacking performance as well, so I'm very pleased all around."
The Cardinal return to action on Thursday night against San Francisco with a chance to extend its nonconference unbeaten streak to 19 straight games. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. at Cagan Stadium and will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.