SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - No. 2 Stanford fell 2-0 at the hands of in-state rival San Francisco on Thursday evening. It marked the Cardinal's first loss since August 25, snapping a 10-game unbeaten streak.
Stanford falls to 8-2-3 on the season after the defeat, while San Francisco moves to a 4-5-3 record on the year.
"I was very disappointed in our first half performance today," said the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. "We were second-best with our attitude and that's not who we are, that's unacceptable."
San Francisco opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a shot from just inside the box that snuck past a diving Rowan Schnebly. The Dons carried a 1-0 lead into the break in an opening half in which they held a 5-3 shot advantage.
Stanford pushed the issue in the second half with ten shots and five corner kicks in the final 45 minutes but could not convert, allowing San Francisco to pull away with a second goal at the 78-minute mark to secure the win.
"I knew we were going to have a tough game tonight but it didn't appear that way to our team. We allowed them to get excited" Gunn added. "We pummeled them in the second half but then allowed a second goal on a night where we could've had five of our own."
Shane De Flores led the Cardinal with four shots, while Fletcher Bank and Jackson Kiil registered a pair of attacks. Palmer Bank Will Cleary, Dylan Groeneveld, and Will Reilly were Stanford's remaining shot-takers, while Schnebly tallied three saves between the posts.
"In the end, I think we got what we deserved tonight. Certainly, we hope the players can reset and come back next game with our normal attitude."
Stanford will finish the regular season with three consecutive home contests, returning to Cagan Stadium on Monday, October 21 against Pacific at 7 p.m. PT.