Stanford did wonders for its postseason hopes with a 1-0 overtime win over No. 25 UC-Santa Barbara on Friday night. Senior Adam Jahn headed the game-winner into the net in the 96th minute.
This Friday, the Stanford men’s soccer team will try their luck in the infamous Harder Stadium when they face off against the UC-Santa Barbara Guachos. Although the game seems to be an insignificant out-of-conference matchup, much more is at stake. If unranked Stanford can pull off a win against the Guachos, who are currently No. 25 in the NCAA rankings, they would be in a good position to make a run at the NCAA tournament.
In what amounted to a near carbon copy of last weekend’s result, Stanford’s men’s soccer team conceded a late goal to Washington and couldn’t find the equalizer in a somewhat sloppy and very physical 2-1 loss to the Huskies.
If late goals are heartbreaking, Stanford’s men’s soccer team is in need of some serious healing. The Cardinal allowed three goals after the 80-minute mark of their two games this weekend, resulting in a 2-2 double-overtime draw at Oregon State and a 2-0 loss at Washington.
After two straight wins in Pac-12 play, including a resounding 2-0 victory over rival California last week, the men’s soccer team heads out on the road this weekend trying to maintain its momentum.
Stanford (5-5, 2-1 Pac-12) is third in the league standings at the moment but can move up this weekend with good results against Washington (7-3-2, 2-0-1) and Oregon State (6-4-1, 1-2).
After scoring twice to lead the Stanford men’s soccer team to victory against cross-bay rival California last Thursday, sophomore forward Zach Batteer was named Pac-12 Player of the Week yesterday.
Facing the daunting prospect of being 1-2 to start Pac-12 play, the men’s soccer team stepped up in a big way, delivering a strong message with a 2-0 win over rival California on Thursday night.
Every sport’s rivalry game with California has a different edge to it. From the water polo teams to the field hockey squad, the Cardinal needs little reminding to get up for the game against the Golden Bears.