SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Playing a fifth consecutive ranked opponent on Friday afternoon, Stanford (5-6, 0-4 ACC) was shut out at No. 14 Syracuse (9-3, 3-2 ACC) by a score of 3-0.
The Cardinal has now been shut out in three consecutive contests, and has been blanked in four of its last five overall.
"We are better than what we showed today," Stanford head coach Roz Ellis said. "We need to clean up our possession as we made too many easy turnovers."
Stanford managed eight total shots in the game, including three from Scout Butler, with four coming in the first and fourth quarters, respectively. The Cardinal had opportunities on the attack, generating five penalty corner opportunities, but Syracuse’s defense held on each occasion.
"I was pleased with our attacking build, now it's time for us to capitalize on the opportunities," Ellis said.
Despite Syracuse registering a 17-8 advantage in shots, the Cardinal stayed within striking distance thanks to outstanding play in goal from Daisy Ford. Ford finished the game with a season-best 10 saves while facing 13 shots on goal. Friday marked the third time in Ford’s career that she eclipsed the double-digit saves mark after previously registering a career-high 11 saves twice.
"Daisy continues to be an anchor between the pipes, showing great reaction times and dog leg saves," Ellis added after the game. "We have to continue to set her up for success."
After a scoreless first quarter that saw Stanford produce four shots to Syracuse’s two, the Orange finally broke through with a pair of goals in the second stanza. Making good on one of six penalty corners for Syracuse on the day, Lieke Leeggangers deflected a ball in and found the back of the cage for what proved to be the game-winner.
The Orange doubled up the lead eight minutes later when Taja Gans intercepted a pass and fed Willemijn Boogert at the top of the circle where she took one touch toward Ford and delivered her shot for her third goal of the season.
Anchored by Ford in goal with five saves in the period, Stanford’s defense held sturdy in a scoreless third quarter, sending the contest to the fourth with the Cardinal trailing by just two goals.
Collecting her second goal of the day, Boogert added the insurance tally just over five minutes into the final frame. With Stanford looking to clear a ball down field from its defensive end, Boogert read the outlet and intercepted the ball before going one-on-one with Ford for the goal.
When asked about the takeaways headed into Stanford's next match, Ellis stated, "It falls on individual ownership of taking care of the ball with our supporting leads and passing lines."
Pursing its first ACC win of the year, another ranked foe awaits the Cardinal on Sunday when it travels to No. 10 Boston College for a 9 a.m. PT game.