FRESNO, Calif. - No. 1 Stanford wrapped up play with another split at Fresno State's Polo-Palooza on Sunday afternoon, falling to No. 9 Fresno State 11-10 before routing No. 11 UC Davis 20-4.
The Cardinal (2-2) closed out its opening weekend with victories in its first and last games, receiving contributions from several different players adjusting to new roles. This season's team features a significantly new-look roster, as Stanford is without the services of Jenna Flynn, Ryann Neushul, Jewel Roemer and Ella Woodhead. The quartet, which includes three ACWPC All-Americans and accounted for 44.0 percent of the Cardinal's scoring in 2023, is taking a leave of absence while training and competing with the U.S. National Team in preparation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
After a pair of exhibitions next weekend, Stanford returns to regular-season competition on Feb. 3-4, hosting the Stanford Invitational.
No. 9 Freno State 11, No. 1 Stanford 10
Stanford's second-half effort fell short in an 11-10 loss to Fresno State, which beat the Cardinal for the first time in seven attempts.
Sophia Sanders led the Cardinal with three goals, helping fuel an offensive charge in the third quarter that kept Stanford within striking distance.
Stanford, which trailed 6-4 at halftime, also received multi-goal performances from Christina Hicks and Sophie Wallace.
Maya Avital made eight saves in goal.
Stanford Goals: Sophia Sanders (3), Christina Hicks (2), Sophie Wallace (2), Eleanor Facey (1), Maggie Hawkins (1), Skyler Jones (1).
No. 1 Stanford 20, No. 11 UC Davis 4
Stanford bounced back later in the afternoon, cruising to a 5-1 lead through the first quarter and routing UC Davis 20-4.
The Cardinal, which led 8-1 at intermission, erupted for seven goals in the third period and kept the pressure on in the final stanza.
Sanders led all scorers with four goals while Kamryn Barone and Sophie Wallace chipped in with three apiece.
Eight different players found the cage for the Cardinal, which shot 62.0 percent while converting all five penalty shots.
Jackie King (five saves) and Christine Carpenter (three saves) split action in goal.
Stanford Goals: Sophia Sanders (4), Kamryn Barone (3), Quinn Healy (3), Sophie Wallace (3), Christina Hicks (2), Avery Montiel (2), Talie Wilmans (2), Maggie Hawkins (1).