FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Senior goalkeeper Haley Craig made a pair of saves in a penalty kick shootout on Sunday night, helping No. 14 Stanford (15-4-2) advance to the Elite Eight by way of a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Arkansas (16-2-3) on penalties.
The three-seeded Cardinal battled No. 2 seed Arkansas even to 1-1 through 110 minutes of action, forcing the match to be decided from the penalty spot. The match officially goes down as a 1-1 draw with Stanford advancing via the penalty kick shootout.
Stanford’s quartet of Andrea Kitahata, Lumi Kostmayer, Craig and Shae Harvey all converted their PK chances, with Craig stopping Arkansas’ second and third opportunities.
Craig was ultimately credited with three saves in the match, including a game-saving stop of Ava Tankersley in the 105th minute to keep the match level.
Arkansas’ Bella Field broke the scoreless match in the 28th minute, getting her head on a cross from Kelsey Oyler for her sixth goal of the year.
With the final seconds ticking away on the first half, Stanford nearly equalized when Lumi Kostmayer sent her shot toward goal and into the top corner of the net as time expired. The goal was initially counted, but was erased following replay review.
Undeterred, Stanford came out strong in the second half, drawing level on freshman Charlotte Kohler’s laser of a strike from distance in the 56th minute. Kohler received a pass at midfield and dribbled her way toward the box. Finally confronted by a Razorback defender around 23 yards out, Kohler unleashed a right-footed rocket into the far side netting for her fifth tally of the year.
Both teams had opportunities and hit the post down the stretch, with Allie Montoya nearly securing the victory in regulation with her shot off the woodwork in the 75th minute. Montoya had an assist and a goal in Stanford’s 2-1 win over UConn on Friday night in Arkansas.
With the victory, Stanford will advance to the Elite Eight and will return home to host ACC-foe No. 13 Notre Dame on Friday at 2 p.m. from Cagan Stadium. The Fighting Irish are a No. 4 seed in the tournament and defeated Stanford 3-0 in South Bend, Ind. on October 20. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. PT on Monday.
GAME NOTES:
• The Cardinal is making its 33rd NCAA Tournament appearance, including its 26th in the last 27 seasons … has compiled a 72-24-9 record in NCAA Tournament play … has reached the NCAA quarterfinal round for the second straight year and the 12th time since 2008
• The Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe owns a 61-14-6 record in postseason action while at Stanford, having guided the Cardinal to the NCAA Tournament in 21 of his 22 seasons
• The penalty kick shootout victory was the first for Stanford since defeating No. 2 North Carolina 0-0 (5-4 PK) for the 2019 national title on December 8, 2019
• Stanford is unbeaten in 53 of its last 58 (45-5-8) matches overall
• Stanford posted a slim 21-16 advantage in shots over Arkansas
• Sunday’s match was the first overtime match of the year for Stanford