STANFORD, Calif. - No. 13 Stanford earned a statement win at Cagan Stadium on Sunday night, tallying a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Denver in the early-season heavyweight bout.
The win marks the third consecutive season that Stanford has defeated a top-five opponent, as the Cardinal improves to 2-0-0 on the young season. Denver falls to 1-1-0 following the loss.
"Everyone watching must have had an incredible time because tonight was just a fantastic game of soccer," said Jeremy Gunn, the Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer. "I was so impressed with how well we played. We were so dominant against a very, very good team. It's a great game that can go either way, but I really felt that we were deserving in the game."
The Cardinal got to its offense early and often, firing eight shots in the first 20 minutes and spending nearly the entire span in the attacking zone.
Stanford was rewarded for its effort in the 20th minute, as Jack Pymm collected a Pioneers' clearance attempt and ripped a low shot that rattled the left post and found the back of the net for the freshman's second goal in as many games.
With the goal, Pymm became the first freshman to score in each of his first two career games since Todd Leber in 2000.
Stanford's aggressiveness continued for the remainder of the half, forcing a pair of saves by the Denver goalkeeper, but the advantage remained just one goal as both teams headed to the locker rooms.
Denver found the equalizer shortly after halftime, collecting a turnover just outside of the box before Ian Welch scorched a shot that snuck in under the crossbar.
The two teams traded attacks over the next 25 minutes before Shane De Flores found Zach Bohane, who fired a shot that deflected off a Pioneer defender and into the back of the net to give Stanford the lead in the 74th minute.
Denver would get a second equalizing opportunity moments later, as a corner kick in the 79th minute resulted in a Stanford handball in the penalty area.
With Kyle McGowan on the penalty spot, the Denver forward fired a low attack but was denied by the right mitt of Rowan Schnebly to keep Stanford a goal ahead.
"He's actually a buddy of mine. We played growing up together but it’s been a long time since I’ve faced him," Schnebly said. "I just went with my gut. There’s not much you can do at the end of the day. I guessed the right way and thankfully made the save."
The Pioneers generated a few looks in the closing stages, but Stanford's defense held firm until the horn sounded to walk way with an early-season ranked win.
"We never guarantee a victory, but we really focus on guaranteeing a strong work ethic for every player on the pitch and putting the work in for your teammates," Gunn said. "When you work together like we did, you end up looking pretty impressive and being really tough to play. I’m super proud of how we played tonight."
Stanford had a decisive 23-7 edge on shots, including seven attacks on frame to Denver's three. The Cardinal also held a 5-2 advantage on corner kicks.