STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford suffered its first setback of the season on Sunday afternoon, dropping a 1-0 contest to Northeastern at Varsity Field Hockey Turf. Stanford falls to 3-1 on the season, while the Huskies jump to 2-3.
The Cardinal struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the game, only recording seven shots to Northeastern's 15 in the contest. Goaltender Daisy Ford recorded a season-high six saves on the afternoon, but a lone goal surrendered in the third period proved to be the difference as Stanford wasn't able to find the back of the cage.
"We allowed Northeastern to put pressure on us after that goal that didn't need to happen that early in the game," head coach Roz Ellis said. "We played frantic for 30 minutes and I think it was a lesson that needed to be learned. Games can fluctuate and we need to be better at controlling the game even when we are down."
Northeastern's lone goal came at the 34:10 mark in the third quarter, as Northeastern's Emmy Stubbs collected a centering pass off a deflection, sneaking a shot past Ford's left pad to take the lead.
Stanford was able to generate some offensive pressure late with five shots in the final frame, but the Husky defense held strong and sealed the victory.
"We need to be more poised under pressure," Ellis added. "Teams are absolutely going to press us and we cannot allow that pressure to change the way we play. I need the team to welcome pressure and stay poised through it moving forward."
The Cardinal will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 13 as they make the trip upstate for a road showdown with UC Davis.