May 30, 2006
Moorpark, Calif. - Stanford Field Hockey traveled to southern California last weekend to compete in the Cal Cup, a tournament consisting mostly of post-collegiate and international field hockey athletes, finishing second to the Monarcas in the championship game yesterday. The Cardinal upset 2005 Cal Cup champion Jailbreak, 2-1, in the semifinal Saturday to advance to the final round. The second-place finish is Stanford's best performance in the Cal Cup in over six years.
Stanford opened the Cal Cup with a 1-0 loss to the San Diego Alumni on May 26th, but bounced back the same day with a 3-2 victory over the Monarcas with goals by Jess Zutz, Julia Drewes and Chloe Bade. The Cardinal added another 4-1 win over the Hustlers on May 27th with goals from Jess Zutz, Bailey Richardson, Aska Sturdevan and Julia Drewes. This closed out pool play for the Cardinal and placed them second in Pool B.
The following day, Stanford upset reigning champion and Pool A winners, Jailbreak, 2-1 in the semi-final game, with goals from Jess Zutz and Julia Drewes. This advanced the Cardinal to the championship game. The Cardinal met the Monarcas for a second time, but fell, 8-2, to take Cal Cup runner-up honors.
"I am so pleased for the team," said head coach Lesley Irvine. "They have worked so hard over the winter and Spring and to see all the freshwomen contributing the way they have this tournament bodes very well for the future. I am seeing players step up all over the field. Beating Jailbreak was a huge win for us. It was a fantastic game of hockey against some very decorated players. It has given us a great glimpse of what this team is capable of."