Stanford Clinches MPSF Regular Season Title
from press release
DAVIS, Calif. - No. 7 Stanford completed an
undefeated MPSF season with a 21-9 over UC Davis. The Cardinal
improved to 14-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference play to
win the regular season conference title.
The Cardinal struggled early in the game as UC Davis came out with
a burst of energy. The Aggies jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead and
led 6-5 at the 18:33 mark in the first half before Stanford began
to control play.
Karen Nesbitt scored on a free-position shot at the 17:18 mark in
the half to start a run of eight consecutive Stanford goals. During
the run, only Lauren Schmidt scored multiple goals as the Cardinal
used seven different goals scorers to put the game out of
reach.
UC Davis managed one goal before the half to end the run, but the
Cardinal still led 13-7 at the break. Schmidt and Leslie Foard led
all first-half goal scorers with a hat trick. Sarah Flynn and
Maggie Sachs also had multiple goals in the period as the Cardinal
outshot the Aggies, 19-16.
Annie Read helped Stanford extend the lead making seven saves in
the half on the way to her 14th victory of the season. The Cardinal
won 12 of 21 draw controls in the period and 19 of 32 for the game.
Leslie Foard continued to be Stanford's top weapon on draw controls
with four more to her name.
To begin the second half, Stanford went on another run to put the
game further out of reach. Stanford scored six straight goals to
being the period and eight of 10 in the half to build the lead to
21-9. Catherine Swanson moved up from defense to earn a second-half
hat trick, while Schmidt scored her game-high fourth goal.
In all, Stanford would have 10 goal scorers, while Jacqueline
Candelaria joined her teammates with a hat trick as well.
Lyndsey Munoz came on to play the second half in goal and made five
saves of her own, while allowing just two goals.
The Cardinal had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the MPSF
tournament, but now finish as the undefeated champion of the
conference.
Stanford will now head out on the road for a final non-conference
game against No. 5 Northwestern. The Cardinal will travel to
Chicago for the matchup of two of the top teams in the nation on
Easter Sunday, April 24, at 11 a.m., PST.
