Oct. 21, 2012
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Freshman driver Bret Bonanni scored nine goals in No. 4 Stanford's 14-3 win over No. 13 Air Force, and 14 total as the Cardinal also defeated No. 17 Bucknell, 14-2, in non-conference action at the Rodeo Tournament in Santa Clara.
Stanford (10-4) resumes MPSF play at Avery Aquatic Center next weekend, hosting No. 6 UC Irvine Saturday and No. 9 Long Beach State Sunday. Both games are set to start at 12 p.m.
Bonanni led the Cardinal in scoring in each win, netting five in the morning against Bucknell before his nine-goal outburst against Air Force in the afternoon. Conner Cleary scored four times Sunday, while Travis Noll (three), Alex Bowen (two) and Nick Hoversten (two) also netted multiple goals over the wins.
Stanford opened up the day by jumping all over Bucknell, as seven different players scored the Cardinal's seven first-half goals while the defense was rock solid in holding the Bison off the scoreboard.
Both teams scored twice in the third period, as Cleary provided the goals for the Cardinal. The game would be put to bed in the fourth frame, as Bonanni scored four times as Stanford ended the contest on an 8-0 run.
The Cardinal returned to action at noon, taking on Air Force for the first time this season. Bonnani reached his hat trick in the first period, combining with Cleary, Hoversten and Noll to create a six-goal frame for Stanford. As in the morning contest, the Cardinal held its opponent scoreless for the opening eight minutes, taking immediate control of the game.
Stanford would up the lead to 11-1 by halftime as Bonanni recorded all five of the Cardinal's goals in the second frame. He would add his last of the game in the third period, added to a goal from Ian Gamble as the Cardinal added the final touches to its second win of the day.
Bucknell - 0 0 2 0 = 2
Stanford - 4 3 2 5 = 14
Stanford Goal Scorers - Bonanni 5, Bowen 2, Cleary 2, Noll 2, Avery, Dunlevie, Hoversten
Bucknell Goal Scorers - Aleksic, Kimble
Goalie Saves - Not available
Air Force - 0 1 2 0 = 3
Stanford - 6 5 2 1 = 14
Stanford Goal Scorers - Bonanni 9, Cleary 2, Gamble, Hoversten, Noll
Air Force Goal Scorers - Rajchel 2, Hamilton
Goalie Saves - Not available