SANTA CLARA, Calif. - No. 4 Stanford overcame a halftime deficit and battled back for a gritty 2-1 road victory on Thursday evening.
Stanford improves to 3-0-0 on the young season, while the Broncos still search for their first victory after falling to 0-1-2 on the year.
"We weren't playing our best in the first half, but we have such depth in this squad and I felt we did the right thing bringing people on that could make an impact on the game," said Jeremy Gunn, the Knowles Family Director of Men's Soccer. "The second half was so much better in every way, and I'm pleased with how we responded to a tough situation."
Neither side could find its offensive rhythm in the early going, with both teams struggling to maintain possession in the opening 20 minutes. Shane De Flores provided Stanford's best offensive look in the 14th minute, firing a left-footed strike just over the crossbar.
Santa Clara broke through in the 25th minute on a counterattack, with Tyler Tipton finishing a cross from Pierce Dyal to give the Broncos an early lead.
Stanford was held in check for the remainder of the opening frame and headed into the locker rooms with its first halftime deficit of the season.
As play resumed, Stanford's depth proved to be a difference-maker as a new Cardinal rotation began to find opportunities in the attacking zone. In the 57th minute, the Cardinal found its equalizer with Will Cleary heading home an Alex Chow corner kick at the far post.
Minutes later, Tomo Allen delivered an exceptional go-ahead goal, fighting through multiple Santa Clara defenders and flicking an attack past the left foot of the goalkeeper for the first score of his collegiate career. Takashi Sasaki was credited with the assist on the play.
"It was great to have Tomo back on the squad today," Gunn added. "He made such an incredible impact in a short period of time. We're really excited to have him back and hopefully that creates more competition."
While Stanford added a handful of attacks in an attempt to put the game away, it was Santa Clara who pressed late, forcing two of Rowan Schnebly's season-high four saves in the final 10 minutes.
The Cardinal's defense would hold strong until the final whistle, keeping its undefeated record intact.
Stanford held a clear statistical advantage by night's end, finishing the game with a 17-9 shot margin and a 6-3 advantage on corner kicks.
"We're never going to be perfect," Gunn said of Thursday's effort. "I think the second half showed that we're always capable of turning it on. The lesson to be learned is that no matter what we've done earlier in the game, we can still create chances and so that was exciting to see tonight."
Stanford will return to The Farm on Sunday, August 31, welcoming UC Davis to Cagan Stadium for a 7 p.m. PT nonconference matchup. Tickets to Sunday's match can be purchased here.