CLEMSON, S.C. – After Clemson (3-1-4) scored a pair of second-half goals on corner kicks to erase a 2-0 deficit on Thursday night, No. 3 Stanford (6-1-1) scored what looked to be the go-ahead goal as the clock expired in regulation only to have the call overturned upon replay.
With the final seconds ticking away, Elise Evans took a shot that deflected off Allie Montoya and found the back of the net. The referee went to the monitor, and after a lengthy review, ruled Montoya was offside to end the match in a draw.
The Cardinal dominated possession, but conceded on two of Clemson’s three corner kick opportunities – once in the 81st and again in the 89th minute. Stanford had not allowed a shot to Clemson until the 73rd minute.
Jasmine Aikey got the scoring started for the Cardinal, contributing a miraculous goal in the 21st minute. The senior received a pass on the right side of the attack with little to no angle toward goal. Unphased, she flicked her right-footed shot toward the back post and in to make it 1-0 Stanford.
Leading 1-0 coming out of halftime, Stanford extended the lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute when Clemson was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Redshirt senior Andrea Kitahata stepped to the spot and buried the penalty kick.
The Tigers drew within a goal in the 81st minute after taking three shots in quick succession. The first offering hit off the crossbar before freshman Caroline Birkel got one hand on the rebound. With the ball still bouncing around the box, Taylor Leib managed to finally put it in the net with her right foot.
Clemson found the equalizer in the 89th minute when Jolie Jenkins sent a perfect service in from the corner that found the head of Elle Bissinger.
Though stunned by the set piece goals, the Cardinal refused to just settle for a point on the road, playing a ball out wide to Jaden Thomas with the seconds ticking away. The sophomore sent a ball across the goal box that found Evans’ foot where she one-timed a shot off Montoya that gave Stanford short-lived hope it would escape with the victory.
The Cardinal will conclude the road trip on Sunday when it meets Pitt at 10 a.m. PT.
GAME NOTES:
- Stanford has scored 32 goals through its first eight games - the most since scoring 39 in the first eight of 2017
- The Cardinal outshot Clemson 20-5 in the draw
- Jasmine Aikey has contributed at least a point in six of the first eight matches this season, and scored in three straight from August 24 to September 4 ... has a goal in five of the eight contests this season ... leads the team in total points with 15 (team-high seven goals and one assist)
- Joelle Jung has contributed at least one assist in four of the last five matches
- Andrea Kitahata contributed at least one point in each of the first six matches this season and has a point in seven of the eight on the year
- Allie Montoya scored in each of Stanford's first four matches, and has contributed at least one point in six of the first eight contests this year ... has scored four goals and added four assists to manage 12 points