STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford prevailed in a Saturday night battle at Cagan Stadium, capping off a perfect preseason with a 1-0 victory over Cal Poly.
"That was a really tough test today. Obviously, I've worked with Oige [Kennedy] for many years and they have a very strong team," said Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "The first half was two teams canceling each other out, both being really solid. Then in the second half, it was truly impressive how our team opened the game up a bit, managed to get on top and stay on top the rest of the way."
It was a deadlocked first 45 minutes between the two programs, with both sides managing just a combined four scoring chances. Cardinal goalkeeper Rowan Schnebly made the lone save of the opening frame, collecting a long-range shot from outside the box.
The Cardinal would come out firing after halftime with five shots in the opening ten minutes, breaking through in the 49th minute as an Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas header was deflected by the Mustang goalkeeper, only to be cleaned up at the back post by Shane De Flores for the 1-0 lead. The goal was De Flores' third goal of the preseason.
Stanford continued the pressure throughout the remainder of the contest, forcing four Cal Poly saves in the second half, while the back line held strong to close out the one-goal victory.
The win wraps up a preseason in which 25 different Cardinal players saw the pitch. Gunn spoke about his team's preseason performance following Saturday's win.
"I think the returning players have been doing exceptionally well, and then it's been really exciting to see the contributions from the freshman," said Gunn "I thought tonight was especially good for the younger players. It's a night game, things are a bit more hurried, they were put under a bit more pressure and they showed some great moments of composure."
Stanford opens the regular season on August 21 at 3 p.m. PT, playing host to Sacramento State on ACC Network Extra.
Tickets for Thursday’s contest and all 10 home matches at Cagan Stadium are available here.