After two conference wins last week, No. 4 Stanford women’s soccer (11-2, 5-0 Pac-12) will look to remain undefeated in conference play and continue its hot streak when it takes on Colorado (7-5, 1-3 Pac-12) on Friday.
At home, the Cardinal have been a force to be reckoned with, winning six of their seven games at Cagan and allowing just 2 goals.
Sophomore midfielder Andi Sullivan leads the team with a total of 5 goals, followed closely by sophomore forward Kyra Carusa and freshman forward Michelle Xiao with 4 apiece. Despite losing key seniors from last season, the Cardinal have defied the odds and used their underclassmen to power their offense. Freshmen and sophomores have been responsible for 17 of the Cardinal’s 24 goals this season.
The Cardinal’s talented underclassmen attackers will place major strain on the Buffaloes’ defense, which has already proven itself disorganized in previous games. Last Sunday, the Buffs lost to Washington State, with three of Washington State’s four shot attempts finding the net.
Despite the statistical advantages, the Cardinal are still training hard to win this game and refuse to underestimate the Buffaloes.
“Every game is a challenge, so I think although we’re excited to play, we’re not taking Colorado very lightly,” Sullivan said. “I think we’re going to have a great game and just continue to build on our play.”
Though the Cardinal are not looking past Colorado, the two teams’ records against common opponents reflect Stanford’s status as an overwhelming favorite; Colorado has lost to BYU, Oregon State and Oregon — three teams Stanford has beaten by a combined score of 5-0.
The Cardinal will have to be cautious of Buffs forward Brie Hooks, who has already scored 4 goals this season, along with her colleague forward, junior Danica Evans.
“Colorado has a few very dangerous players that are very unique and really fun to watch,” Sullivan stated. “They’re very dangerous and explosive and I think they have a big sense of unpredictability in the attacking third.”
Given the past few games, though, it seems as though the Cardinal defense will have no trouble keeping the ball a safe distance away from the goal. The backline, comprising senior Laura Liedle, freshman Alana Cook and juniors Maddie Bauer and Stephanie Amack, has done an excellent job of stopping goal-scoring opportunities and plays by adversaries.
Junior goalkeeper Jane Campbell has made 19 saves this season, with her save average rising above 70 percent. Stanford’s physical defense has helped to create the momentum and energy that the team needs in order to establish governing play throughout the game. The team will try to use this momentum, along with its previous victories to send it to victory in its upcoming game against the Buffs.
Stanford will play the lone game of its weekend on Friday night at 5 p.m. against Colorado at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Contact Laura Sussman at laura111 ‘at’ stanford.edu.