SAN DIEGO – No. 2 Stanford (3-0) struck for two quick goals to start the second half, breaking a 1-1 tie and earning a 3-1 victory on the road at San Diego State (1-1-1) Thursday night.
Knotted at a goal apiece coming out of the break, redshirt junior Andrea Kitahata contributed what proved to be the game-winner, volleying a left-footed shot into the back of the net just 47 seconds into the second stanza. Graduate student Samantha Williams delivered the cross from the wing that bounced into the box and found Kitahata on the back side of the attack for her 15th career goal, including her second this year.
Freshman Charlotte Kohler wasted no time adding the insurance, scoring her second goal of the season in the 50th minute. Sophomore Mia Bhuta found Kohler with her back to the goal at the top of the box. The freshman received the pass, spun to her left and shed a pair of defenders before slotting her left-footed shot into the far corner of the goal to extend the Cardinal lead to 3-1.
Quick goals proved to be the theme for the Cardinal on Thursday, as Stanford was on the board in the second minute thanks to a goal from sophomore Shae Harvey. Stanford won its first of nine corners just 47 seconds into the match and Harvey made good on the opportunity by getting on the other end of Jasmine Aikey’s delivery to record her second career goal.
The 1-0 Cardinal advantage held until the 40th minute when the Aztecs earned a corner kick opportunity and drew a penalty on the ensuing play. Kali Trevithick stepped to the spot and converted the PK, tagging the Cardinal with its first goal allowed this season.
Playing all 90 minutes in goal for Stanford, Haley Craig was credited with one save.
Stanford will remain on the road this weekend, traveling to Cal State Fullerton Sunday for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The match against the Titans will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
MATCH NOTES:
• Thursday's match was the fourth true road match for the Cardinal against San Diego State, including the first since 1995
• With the victory, Stanford improves to 10-0-1 against San Diego State and extends its win streak to eight matches against the Aztecs
• Managing a 20-10 advantage on Thursday, Stanford is +49 in shots this season, boasting a 67-18 advantage over its opponents
• Adding Harvey, Stanford now features five different goal scorers through three matches this year (Kitahata – 2; Kohler – 2; Harvey – 1; Jaden Thomas – 1; Maryn Wolf – 1)