STANFORD, Calif. — A late first half goal was the catalyst for a 10-2 run for No. 15 Stanford as the Cardinal overcame a five-goal deficit early in the first half to dispatch No. 21 Colorado on Thursday evening. The Cardinal now moves to 2-0 on the season and extends its current home winning-streak to 15 games.
1:27 remained in the first half with the Buffs Teagan Ryan staring down Stanford goalkeeper Lucy Pearson on a free position attempt, earning an opportunity to extend the lead back to five goals. On the ensuing whistle, Pearson robbed Ryan to give the Cardinal life. 1:23 later, Lexi Rodell’s first collegiate goal at the death of the halftime horn brought the Cardinal into the game, kickstarting an eventual 10 goal onslaught in the second half.
Stanford found itself in deep water in the early going, allowing the visitors to jump out to a 5-0 lead through the first 16 minutes of action. The Cardinal finally found the back of the net with Maddigan Miller’s first goal of the season, breaking the scoring drought that lasted nearly 17 minutes. Stanford continued to counter through the remainder of the first half and brought the deficit to two before two-unanswered goals from the Buffs extended the lead back to four. That was, until Rodell kickstarted the comeback.
In the second half, Stanford jumped out as the aggressor, quickly nabbing the first four goals of the quarter with a pair from Aliya Polisky as well as a brace from both Miller and Rodell, giving the home side its first lead of the afternoon. Colorado, however, struck back with under three minutes remaining to send the game tied heading into fourth quarter, 9-9.
Having shut down USC the week prior in the final quarter, Stanford struck gold for a consecutive time, suffocating Colorado defensively, allowing just two shots on goal in the run of play while winning the draw control battle 5-2 in the fourth quarter.
Turning defense into offense last weekend, Stanford forded through the weather and the early trouble, capitalizing on its defensive posture to put five unanswered goals on the board. Miller completed her second collegiate hat trick while support from Elise Murphy, Rylee Bouvier, Jordyn Case, Kaleigh Sommers and Polisky usurped Stanford to a defining 15-10 win in its home opener.
Stanford continues the nonconference pallet this weekend, hosting UC Davis at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium on Saturday, February 15. Opening draw is slated for 1 p.m.