SAN JOSE, Calif. – Preparing to open the 2024 season next week, No. 2 Stanford went on the road and posted a 4-0 shutout victory over San Jose State in an exhibition match on Friday night from the Spartan Soccer Complex.
The two teams played three 30-minute periods, with Stanford subbing players at each intermission.
Controlling the run of play early, Stanford eventually broke through with a goal in the 29th minute when a contested ball lofted into the air, bounced into the box and spun away from San Jose State’s goalkeeper as she came out to try to corral it from danger. Seizing the opportunity, redshirt junior Andrea Kitahata volleyed her shot into the back of the net to put Stanford on the board.
The second period saw Stanford score twice in quick succession. The Cardinal won a corner kick opportunity and junior Jasmine Aikey bent a wonderful ball along the front of goal where junior Freya Spiekerkoetter delivered a diving header for Stanford’s second goal of the day. Immediately tacking on, freshman Charlotte Kohler headed home a goal of her own one minute later, getting on the end of a cross from Samantha Williams and sending it toward the back post for the tally.
Sophomore Shae Harvey put the finishing touches on the scoring, converting a penalty kick in the 71st minute. Junior Allie Montoya earned the PK after working through the San Jose State defense and firing a shot that was blocked by a defender and ruled a hand ball in the box.
The Cardinal used 26 different players in the exhibition match, including all nine freshmen. Senior Haley Craig played the opening 30 minutes in goal, followed by sophomore Alyssa Savig and Kaiya Jota in the final two periods.
The 2023 national runner-up, Stanford will officially open the 2024 season at San Francisco on Thursday, August 15. The clash with the Dons is set for 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.