In a Pac-12 battle last night on Stanford’s campus, No. 1 Stanford women’s soccer (13-0-1, 6-0 Pac-12) defeated Utah (7-6-1, 4-2) by a score of 2-0.
Wearing their pink jerseys in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, Stanford extended their unbeaten streak to 36 straight games. The win was their 24th consecutive Pac-12 victory.
Utah entered the match with momentum, riding a four-match winning streak. During that span, they had not surrendered a single goal.
Stanford made quick work of ending Utah’s shutout streak. In the 28th minute, freshman forward Sophia Smith received the ball around 10 yards past the center circle. She weaved her way around several defenders, making her way towards the Utah goal. With her left foot, she snuck the ball past two defenders and the diving Utah goalkeeper.
Smith’s goal was her seventh of the season, tying her for the team lead with sophomore forward Catarina Macario, who did not play in the game.
Smith’s night took an unfortunate turn in the 47th minute. Smith attacked against two defenders inside of the box. Six yards from the goal, she looked poised to have her second goal of the night when a rough play with the defender took her to the ground. After a couple of minutes, she was carried off of the field to the relief of the spectators and both teams. She exited the stadium to be evaluated by the medical staff.
Jordan Dibiasi stepped up to take the penalty kick. She kicked to the right, but her attack was met by the goalie’s outstretched arms. The Cardinal still led by only one.
In the 60th minute, Stanford had a great opportunity to double their score. At the top of the box, freshman forward Abby Greubel artfully back heeled the ball, placing it on a tee for junior forward Beattie Goad. Goad’s effort was a bit high, but this would not be her only chance of the night.
In the 65th minute, DiBiasi juked a defender and sneaked the ball past a couple of more Utes, finding Goad streaking across the box. The speedy Goad was one step ahead of her defender. With her right foot, she kicked the ball past the diving Utah keeper to the bottom left corner of the net. The goal was her second of the season.
The Cardinal controlled the pace throughout the evening, outshooting the Utes 22-2. Utah did not even have a shot until the 84th minute. Stanford’s defense has been impenetrable lately, as they have not surrendered a goal since Sept. 27. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz earned the shutout.
Stanford will look to continue their dominance in Pac-12 play on Sunday when they face the undefeated No. 15 Colorado Buffalo (13-0-3, 5-0-2). Sunday’s match will be the final regular season home contest of the 2018 campaign for the Cardinal. They will honor their five seniors, Averie Collins, Alana Cook, Jordan DiBiasi, Tegan McGrady and Michelle Xiao, before the game.
Stanford, Colorado and Georgetown are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the nation. Kickoff on Sunday is at noon.
Contact Jake Stuebner at jstuebs ‘at’ stanford.edu.