COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Natalie Hoppe’s first collegiate goal proved the difference as the Stanford field hockey team split its weekend at the 2025 Conference Cup with a 1-0 result over James Madison on Sunday.
Hoppe, who is a highly touted freshman out of Germany and was recently named to the NFHCA Collegiate Watchlist, found the game’s only breakthrough in the second half, paving the way toward Stanford’s eventual win.
"Great win today. The tactical changes we needed to make from Friday to today were executed well," said Susan Ewing York Director of Women's Field Hockey head coach Roz Ellis.
Stanford stormed out of the gates in Sunday's opener, amassing the first few chances on goal. However, James Madison and goalkeeper Molly Schreiner kept the Cardinal at bay through the opening half. The Cardinal, which outshot JMU 11-1 in the opening half, had its chances to open the scoring but could not solve Schreiner as both teams headed into the halftime break deadlocked 0-0.
Much like the opening 15 minutes, Stanford quickly jumped out of the break and found the opening tally just four minutes into the half as Hoppe nabbed her first collegiate goal. Having earned a penalty corner, the Cardinal went to work as an eventual shot-pass from Scout Butler made its way through the JMU defense and into the path of Hoppe who redirected the try into the back of the goal to give Stanford the lead, 1-0.
"Our freshman are deeply committed and displaying what it looks like to be brave on the pitch, said Ellis. "Everyone has an opportunity, the rest of the team will follow suit."
Having earned the lone tally of the afternoon, the Cardinal continued to push for the insurance goal, outshooting the Dukes 10-3 in the final half. Stanford, who earned 14 penalty corners on the afternoon, kept JMU hemmed in its defensive end for a majority of the day, limiting the Dukes to three penalty corners and four shots total in Sunday’s game.
Stanford is back in action this week, beginning its home slate of games with a matchup against Ball State on Thursday, September 4. First push back from Varsity Field Hockey Turf is slated for noon PT.