STANFORD, Calif. – Redshirt junior Andrea Kitahata had her hand in all three Stanford goals on Sunday as the No. 2 Cardinal (2-0) posted a 3-0 shutout victory over visiting UC Irvine (1-1) in Stanford’s home opener from Cagan Stadium.
Kitahata finished the match with a goal and two assists while putting three of her four shots on frame in 62 minutes played.
Maryn Wolf and Jaden Thomas also added goals in the victory, with Thomas’ tally in the 75th minute serving as the first of her career.
The Cardinal jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage in the eighth minute as Kitahata received a headed pass from Shae Harvey, dribbled and laced a shot at UCI goalkeeper Ashley Naylor, forcing her into a save. The rebound kicked out to Wolf who stepped into a shot and found the back of the net for her first of the season.
After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, Stanford’s duo of Wolf and Kitahata got back to work in the second half. As the Cardinal went on the attack and sent a cross into the box, Wolf jostled for position trying to get on the end of the ball and was taken down to draw a penalty. After VAR confirmed the foul, Kitahata stepped to the spot and buried the penalty to make it 2-0 Cardinal.
The freshman Thomas put the finishing touches on the 3-0 victory in the 75th minute, running down a ball in the box toward the end line and sending it back across the goal for Kitahata. Kitahata met a diving Naylor in goal as the ball spit back out toward Thomas. With the keeper now off her line, the native of Dallas, Texas one-timed her left-footed shot past an Anteater defender on the goal line for the score.
Stanford’s defense held UC Irvine to just five total shots, with the best opportunity resulting in a spectacular save from Stanford goalkeeper Haley Craig in the 62nd minute. UCI’s Desiree Mendoza dribbled toward the top of the box and unleashed a left-footed shot from 25 yards out that was tipped over the bar by Craig.
Craig recorded three saves before handing the keys to sophomore Alyssa Savig in the 82nd minute for her collegiate debut. The duo combined on the shutout – Stanford’s second in as many matches this season.
The Cardinal will return to action next week when it travels to Southern California to take on San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton on Thursday and Sunday, respectively. The 7 p.m. clash with the Aztecs will be streamed live on Mountain West Network, while Sunday’s 2 p.m. contest with the Titans will be broadcast on…
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