STANFORD, Calif. – Lynn Vanderstichele scored just 43 seconds into overtime, and Stanford field hockey beat No. 17 James Madison, 3-2, on Thursday afternoon at the Varsity Turf. The Cardinal improves to 6-7 this season, with the win its second of the year over a ranked opponent.
"I think it's amazing we scored in the first minute after we've had so many OTs this season," said Vanderstichele. "It's great to finish it and have a win on our home turf before a big block of matches away. It brings me so much happiness and joy to be able to celebrate a moment like this as a team – these are the moments you train for."
Haley Mossmer and Molly Redgrove joined Vanderstichele with goals in the game, while Fenella Scutt, Rose Winter and Cara Sambeth were credited assists. Kendall Dowd made five saves between the posts to earn the win.
"Coming into this game, we had two choices – either we were going to build on what we've been working on coming off of Cal, or not," said head coach Roz Ellis. "I'm so proud of the team with how we put the gas pedal on – we ran into a little bit off a third quarter with some fatigue, and James Madison is a great opponent who threw the kitchen sink at us. We came out of it with composure, and you saw it in the first seconds of overtime."
After a scoreless first quarter, Stanford scored twice in a three-minute span in the second to take a 2-0 lead. First, a shot from Caroline Reinhart deflected into the path of Mossmer, who volleyed her fifth goal of the season into the back of the cage. Then, Winter and Scutt set up Redgrove for a strike from the top of the circle on a penalty corner, slotted nicely into the lower left corner.
James Madison responded with two goals in the second half, tying the game with 9:15 remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime – Stanford's sixth this season and fifth in six games at home.
Just 43 seconds into overtime, Sambeth found Vanderstichele in the circle, who dribbled around the goalkeeper and fired the game-winner across the goal line.
"I think this gives us confidence in that we can put on high pressure and put in fast goals, and that we can fight back after giving up two goals," continued Ellis. "The composure and energy I saw behind our decision making was really impressive."
Stanford returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Richmond. The 8 a.m. PT start will be broadcast on ESPN+.