STANFORD, Calif. - The hot start of the season continued for the Cardinal on Thursday afternoon, as it defeated Kent State, 3-1, in the season's home opener.
With the win, Stanford jumped to a 3-0 record on the young season for its best start since the 2020 campaign. Kent State remains winless at 0-3 on the year.
Nadine Brenninkmeyer, Star Horlock, and Allison Kuzyk combined for the trio of Cardinal goals, while Stanford's defense shined with four penalty corner stops and a penalty stroke save to give Daisy Ford her third win of the season in net.
"I think it was so important shut down their penalty corner attacks, those goals can really change the momentum of a game," Ford said. "Our defensive unit was very calm and composed and we were definitely thinking about our scouting report when we were in the net."
Stanford got on the board earle once again on Thursday, as Horlock rifled a shot past the Kent State goaltender's left pad to score her third goal in as many games.
"Early leads are a pressure situation," Ellis said. "What we've been really pushing this last year is to experience what it's like when we're the powerhouse, when we score early and continue that momentum. Pressure is a privilege and I'm really proud of how our team has been handling it."
Brenninkmeyer became the first freshman to tally a goal for the Cardinal this season, as her second-period attack found the back of the cage for her first goal of her collegiate career, giving Stanford a 2-0 lead at the halftime break.
In the fourth quarter, Kuzyk would the seal the game with a breakaway goal off a Liv Martin pass to extend the lead to three. The Golden Flashes would add an inconsequential late, but the Cardinal would walk away with its third consecutive win.
Stanford continues the homestand on Sunday as it plays host to Northeastern at noon PT, with action being streamed live on ACC Network Extra.