Stanford Downs UC Davis, 2-0

DAVIS, Calif. — Stanford field hockey completed the 2026 nonconference slate in successful fashion, dispatching UC Davis on Friday afternoon, 2-0. With the win, Stanford ends the nonconference portion of its 2026 schedule with an 8-1 record including a double over its in-state foes while Anya Jackson recorded her second collegiate shutout. 

"I think UC Davis is a really difficult team to play against with their numbers defensively," said Susan Ewing York Director of Women's Field Hockey Roz Ellis. "I am really happy with how our team prioritized possession in the second half to be able to stretch Davis and find openings into the scoring circle."

Friday's scorching affair got off to a sluggish start in the scoring column as neither side could find the opening tally inside the first 30 minutes. Owning the lion’s share of possession, Stanford (9-5, 1-4 ACC) posted 11 shots toward the Aggies’ cage, but could not find the backstop as Addy Collingwood posted four saves for the hosts. On the other end, Anya Jackson stood tall on her one chance against, stopping the lone UC Davis (3-9, 0-0 MPSF) shot of the first half as the two sides hit the halftime break in a scoreless deadlock.

However, the second half proved fruitful for Stanford as the Cardinal broke the deadlock just over five minutes into the frame. With a spell of possession in the Davis half, Star Horlock put the finishing touches on the Stanford attacking move, securing her eighth of the season with a sinister shot to put the Cardinal ahead, 1-0. 

Stanford continued pressuring the Aggies cage in the frame, matching its first quarter total in shots with eight attempts on cage. Davis, meanwhile, had its own chances to claw level, but Jackson’s quick reflexes kept the Aggies at bay as Stanford boasted the one-goal advantage into the final frame. 

With both sides diving deep into their benches to keep fresh legs on the pitch, the playing field leveled as UC Davis went for the equalizer. Stanford, though, limited the Aggies attempts on goal, mustering just one of its three fourth-quarter shots toward Jackson who was equal to the bid to keep the shutout alive. 

"The gamechangers off the bench came in hard today," said Ellis. "I really liked what they displayed with their simplicity on the ball and their off-ball movement and that gave us just what we needed to secure the win."

On the other end, the Cardinal doubled the advantage in the final moments of the match as Kate Nemec secured her third goal of the season with under two minutes to go, finishing off a great pass from Puja Nanjappa inside the circle to push the Cardinal ahead by two. WIth time winding down, Stanford continued holding possession away from the hosts, securing the eventual 2-0 shutout win.

Stanford is back in conference action next weekend, trekking to the Northeast for a pair of matches against Syracuse and Boston College. First strike against the Orange on Friday, October 23 is slated for 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT.