On Thursday night, No. 3 Stanford women’s soccer (10-1-2) conceded as many goals in one game against the No. 1 Bruins as it has all season. The Card fell 2-1 in Westwood to No. 1 UCLA (11-0-2) in an epic clash of undefeated Pac-12 leaders. Heading into the game, the Card owned the esteem of being the nation’s top defense with goals allowed (2.00) and goals against average (0.16) leading all other teams. The battle was predicted to be close, and turned out to be a nail biter. Knocking the Cardinal out of the NCAA tournament in the third round last year to win the Pac-12 and NCAA titles, the Bruins, who have a 34-match winning streak, proved to be a worthy opponent.
The first quarter was a tough clash, as both sides were equally matched with four attempted goals per team by the end of the quarter. The game finally picked up its pace in the second quarter, however.
Senior Lo’eau LaBonta gave the Card its only goal of the game and hope of topping the nation’s leader with a 53rd-minute volley to give Stanford the 1-0 lead. It was the midfielder’s fifth goal of the season. The goal began with freshman midfielder Andi Sullivan’s corner kick, which was blocked by Bruins’ goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland’s punch out, but that was not enough to keep LaBonta from striking a half-volley from 21 yards.
The Bruins saved all of the magic, however, for the final 14 minutes of play, netting two unanswered goals that sealed the fate of the game. The Bruins tied the score at the 76th minute when Ally Courtnall, who carried down the right and cut inside, unleashed a left-footed shot over Stanford goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who had a total of five saves. Courtnall was assisted by Annie Alvarado and Darian Jenkins. The Cardinal fell behind when Annie Alvarado, with an assist from Sam Mewis, scored on a low cross-goal shot from about 10 yards from the right. The ball snuck inside the left post at the 84th minute.
It was the first loss for the Card this season and also the first time that the team has trailed at any point in a game. With the win, UCLA stands alone as first place in the conference over the Cardinal.
Stanford will travel across the city to take on the USC Trojans on Sunday at 3 p.m..
Contact Ashley Westhem at awesthem ‘at’ stanford.edu and Elizabeth Trinh at entrinh ‘at’ stanford.edu.