Stanford Downs No. 4 Denver – Stanford Cardinal

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 13 Stanford earned an announcement win at Cagan Stadium on Sunday night time, tallying a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Denver within the early-season heavyweight bout. 

The win marks the third consecutive season that Stanford has defeated a top-five opponent, because the Cardinal improves to 2-0-0 on the younger season. Denver falls to 1-1-0 following the loss.

“Everyone watching must have had an incredible time because tonight was just a fantastic game of soccer,” stated Jeremy Gunn, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer. “I was so impressed with how well we played. We were so dominant against a very, very good team. It’s a great game that can go either way, but I really felt that we were deserving in the game.”

The Cardinal bought to its offense early and infrequently, firing eight photographs within the first 20 minutes and spending practically the complete span within the attacking zone.

Stanford was rewarded for its effort within the twentieth minute, as Jack Pymm collected a Pioneers’ clearance try and ripped a low shot that rattled the left publish and located the again of the web for the freshman’s second purpose in as many video games.

Stanford’s aggressiveness continued for the rest of the half, forcing a pair of saves by the Denver goalkeeper, however the benefit remained only one purpose as each groups headed to the locker rooms. 

Denver discovered the equalizer shortly after halftime, accumulating a turnover simply exterior of the field earlier than Ian Welch scorched a shot that snuck in below the crossbar. 

The two groups traded assaults over the subsequent 25 minutes earlier than Shane De Flores discovered Zach Bohane, who fired a shot that deflected off a Pioneer defender and into the again of the web to provide Stanford the lead within the 74th minute. 

Denver would get a second equalizing alternative moments later, as a nook kick within the 79th minute resulted in a Stanford handball within the penalty space. 

With Kyle McGowan on the penalty spot, the Denver ahead fired a low assault however was denied by the best mitt of Rowan Schnebly to maintain Stanford a purpose forward. 

“He’s actually a buddy of mine. We played growing up together but it’s been a long time since I’ve faced him,” Schnebly stated. “I just went with my gut. There’s not much you can do at the end of the day. I guessed the right way and thankfully made the save.”

The Pioneers generated a couple of appears to be like within the closing levels, however Stanford’s protection held agency till the horn sounded to stroll manner with an early-season ranked win.

“We never guarantee a victory, but we really focus on guaranteeing a strong work ethic for every player on the pitch and putting the work in for your teammates,” Gunn stated. “When you work together like we did, you end up looking pretty impressive and being really tough to play. I’m super proud of how we played tonight.”

Stanford had a decisive 23-7 edge on photographs, together with seven assaults on body to Denver’s three. The Cardinal additionally held a 5-2 benefit on nook kicks.