Stanford Win CelebrationStanford Win Celebration
Marc-Grégor Campredon
Women's Lacrosse

Feeling Elite

No. 6/5 Stanford lacrosse advances to NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in program history

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the first time in program history, Stanford women’s lacrosse is off to the NCAA Quarterfinals as the Cardinal dispelled the No. 7-seeded Michigan Wolverines, 13-12, in the NCAA Second Round on Sunday. With the win, Stanford has earned the most wins in program history (17) while securing its first-ever NCAA Second Round win. 

Up by one with 2:52 remaining in regulation, Michigan stepped up to the eight-meter hash with a chance to regain a two-goal lead. However, Lucy Pearson’s fifth save of the day stymied the Wolverines final chance of the day, giving the Cardinal a late lifeline. 

In what was a game of runs, both teams stumbled out of the gates in a fast-paced start that saw the hosts take a two-goal lead in the first four minutes. No. 6/5 Stanford (17-4, 8-2), however, countered the quick punch from the No. 7/6 Wolverines (13-7, 5-3 Big Ten) with a four-goal run of its own into the second quarter. 

Lindsey Devir got the scoring started finishing off a feed from Martha Oakey for her third of the weekend before Aliya Polisky and Jordyn Case went back-to-back inside 40 seconds seconds late in the first quarter to give the Cardinal its first lead of the afternoon. Mallory Hasselbeck slotted home an unassisted tally three minutes into the second to cap off the 4-0 run as Stanford took hold of a 4-2 lead. 

Michigan, though, countered with a 6-2 run in the second quarter to take an 8-6 lead heading into the halftime break. UM tied the game with a pair of goals within a minute to answer the Hasselbeck tally before Stanford retook a two-goal with Ava Arceri and Polisky tallying to push Stanford ahead. However, UM grabbed the final four goals of the frame in the final four minutes to take a two-goal lead into the break. 

Unwavering, Stanford grabbed the first goal of the second half with Hasselbeck’s second of the contest to push the Cardinal within one. However, UM doubled down midway through the third quarter with two goals in 20 seconds to grab its largest lead of the contest at 10-7. 

From then on, Stanford earned the decisive 6-2 run to funnel through the Wolverines. Amanda Lawson and Oakey found themselves in the goal column in the final three minutes of the frame with the latter finishing off a feed from Hasselbeck to bring Stanford within one. 

Heading into the fourth, First and Hasselbeck combined for a one-two punch to open the frame as Frist collected point No. 199 with a spin-cycle finish before Hasselbeck fired a shot through contact for a highlight reel finish to give Stanford the 11-10 lead. However, UM grabbed two to regain the lead with five to go in the fourth quarter. 

With its back against the wall, Pearson’s free-position save catapulted the Cardinal into the driver's seat as just 40 seconds later, Polisky slotted home the hat trick goal to put the Cardinal level with 2:12 remaining.

Stanford then won the ensuing draw before Jordyn Case grabbed the eventual game-winning goal on the eight-meter hash with under a minute to play after the Cardinal fifth-year earned an extra possession. With Stanford in control, Rylee Bouvier’s season-high fifth draw control gave the Cardinal possession before Polisky and co. ran out the clock to grab the record-breaking 13-12 win.

Stanford is back in action on Thursday, May 14, taking on the No. 2-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Opening draw from UNC's Dorrance Field is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.