STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford earned its first win of the 2024 preseason on Sunday, taking down Sacramento State 2-0 at Cagan Stadium. It also marked the Cardinal’s second shutout in as many preseason exhibitions.
“It was another great outing,” said the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. “I think we were a bit sharper on the ball today and we overall as a group player sharper and a bit better.”
Stanford was in control for much of the first half, dominating possession and applying consistent pressure on the Hornets’ goal. The Cardinal continued to create chances and looked to be the more offensive team throughout the first 45 minutes.
“It’s forward momentum and another good performance, another good shutout,” added Gunn. “We created chances today whereas on Friday we weren’t really creating chances and so today I was much happier with our offensive output.”
The second half mirrored the first, with Stanford again controlling much of the ball and looking as the more dangerous team. Then, in the 74th minute, Dylan Groeneveld capitalized for the Cardinal, firing the team in front.
“We created lots of chances and could have scored goals,” said Gunn. “I thought Sacramento State defended the penalty box really well and their goalkeeper wasn’t making saves as there were tons of blocked shots from good half chances that we could have scored from on another day in the first half.”
Fletcher Bank then finished the game off, adding a second game mere minutes after the opener. He tucked in a goal off a perfectly placed feed from Will Cleary.
Defensively, Stanford held the Hornets in check, preventing much of an offense to begin taking shape. The Cardinal has flexed its defensive muscle early this preseason, holding both its opponents scoreless.
Stanford will look to add another strong showing next weekend in the final preseason matchup against Cal Poly.