Season Opener Sets The Tone

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1 Stanford opened its 2026 campaign with a convincing 20-7 victory over UC Davis on Sunday afternoon at Avery Aquatic Center.

Jenna Flynn delivered a game-best five goals, leading a dominant offensive attack that included goals from 11 different players.

Leading 9-4 at halftime, Stanford (1-0, 0-0 MPSF) put the game out of reach in the third quarter. The Cardinal erupted for nine goals – including three from Flynn over a three-minute stretch – while holding UC Davis (2-1, 0-0 Big West) scoreless.

Seeking an NCAA repeat for the fourth time in school history, Stanford looked sharp overall in the first of four home matches at Avery this season. Despite the losses of All-Americans Ryann Neushul and Jewel Roemer to graduation, the Cardinal returns very strong depth and should again be in position to challenge for the national championship.

The Cardinal got on the board early thanks to a newcomer, as UCLA All-American transfer Sienna Green opened the scoring with her first goal on the Farm. A 2024 Olympic silver medalist who totaled 50 goals in two seasons with the Bruins, Green finished with two goals on three attempts and one assist.

Juliette Dhalluin, who last year produced an All-American season with 41 goals and 36 assists in her debut season after transferring from Arizona State, scored two of her three goals in the second quarter for a 9-4 lead at intermission.

Dhalluin’s third goal to begin the third period put Stanford into double digits at 10-4. The Cardinal then ripped off eight more tallies to lead 18-4 heading into the final period.

Claire Minton contributed two goals for the Cardinal, scoring on a breakaway to close out the third quarter before finding the cage again 40 seconds into the fourth.

Natalia Szczerba wrapped up the scoring with her first collegiate goal, converting a penalty shot with 1:52 left in regulation.

Christine Carpenter finished with seven saves through the first three periods before Jackie King added two stops over the final eight minutes.

Stanford next faces Long Beach State on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Brigitte Donner Daws Memorial Invitational in Berkeley.

Stanford Goals: Jenna Flynn (5), Juliette Dhalluin (3), Kamryn Barone (2), Sienna Green (2), Claire Minton (2), Serena Browne (1), Maggie Hawkins (1), Quinn Healy (1), Sydney Lowell (1), Reagan McEachen (1), Natalia Szczerba (1).