STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford field hockey continued its strong start to the 2026 campaign as two, opening-minute goals and a second-half defensive stand culminated in a 3-1 win over the American University Eagles on Sunday. With the win, Stanford moves to 2-0 for the first time since the 2024 campaign.
Bea Varley led the Cardinal with her first collegiate goal and first multi-point game, assisting on Kate Nemec’s game-winning goal. Caroline Richard earned her first collegiate goal that pushed Stanford ahead early while junior goalkeeper Anya Jackson recorded five saves.
“I liked our composure and connection around the ball today,” said Susan Ewing York Director of Women’s Field Hockey Roz Ellis. “That confidence always builds into more attacking waves and moments and we had those today.”
Having failed to score in the first half of the season opener on Friday, Stanford (2-0, 0-0 ACC) stormed out of the gates on Sunday, tallying the opening goal inside the game’s first minute. Having the early spell of possession, Mia Clark rifled a ball from the halfway line that found Caroline Richard just outside the Eagles’ scoring circle. Having the angle on her defender, the sophomore transfer outwaited the pressure and rifled a backswinging shot that went through the traffic in front and into the cage to put Stanford ahead 1-0 just 53 seconds into the game.
The Stanford blitz continued throughout the first frame as the Cardinal recorded five more shots at American (0-2, 0-0 Patriot League) but could not double its lead inside the first. However, in similar fashion to the opening goal of the game, the Cardinal early quarter siege found success in the second.
Having been able to thwart an opening challenge from the visitors, Stanford secured a counterattack opportunity that resulted in Bea Varley barreling toward the circle. The junior then ushered a cutback pass toward the slot that found the stick of Kate Nemec that the senior directed into the cage to put Stanford ahead by two only 32 seconds into the second quarter.
“They are brave and ready to go for it,” said Ellis. “How we start a quarter is something we have been building for a few years and now that’s part of our identity.”
The pressure from Stanford continued well toward the halftime break as the Cardinal earned a 9-0 shot advantage and a 3-0 lead in penalty corners through 30 minutes.
American, however, found its way back into the game early in the second half. With an equal spell of pressure to begin the third quarter, American earned its opportunity to dig into the Stanford lead off a penalty stroke midway through the frame. Having earned its chances to open the half, American capitalized on the ensuing attempt, cutting the Cardinal lead in half, 2-1.
Stanford, though, quickly put the stroke in its rearview, regaining its two-goal lead 64 seconds after the American tally. With a flurry of shots inside the penalty area, Varley secured her first collegiate goal on a rebound to push the scoreline to 3-1.
Two goals for the timeline!🤩#GoStanford x #MYM pic.twitter.com/HfxvS9dNwF
— Stanford Field Hockey (@StanfordFH) August 30, 2026
“We have a lot of emotional intelligence with this team,” said Ellis. “Yea, a goal went in, but we can still control this game and get the win and that’s what we did.”
In the fourth, however, American quickly put the Cardinal under siege, earning multiple chances while recording its lone three penalty corners of the game. However, Stanford was equal to the task, using its lessons from Friday to negate any chance of a penalty corner conversion from the Eagles late into the fourth.
Needing to kill the final few moments while a player down, Stanford continued to show its youthful, yet veteran, poise at the back, as two final saves from Anya Jackson in the final five minutes secured the eventual 3-1 win.
“PCD unit is doing amazing so far and they are taking away a lot of chances,” said Ellis. “I liked how we were able to problem-solve against the press and eventually secure the win at the end."
Stanford is back in action on a quick turnaround as the Cardinal battles Central Michigan on Monday, August 31 to close the opening weekend slate of games. First strike is slated for Noon PT.