09-22-2026, 08:17 PM
On September 13, on a pitch in Durham, North Carolina, Stanford women’s soccer played then #3-ranked Duke. The Blue Devils decimated the Cardinal, winning 5-0. One week later, at home, Stanford played #3 ranked and undefeated Wake Forest (a team that Stanford had never defeated). Stanford controlled the ball for most of the match and scored twice in the last 15 minutes to win 2-0.
Why the different outcomes? Home field advantage – sure, that could have been a factor. Revenge motivation, after losing two consecutive matches to Wake Forest, one in the semi finals of the college cup? Yah, that could have provided extra motivation.
The most obvious difference, however, was four different players in the starting lineup. Three of them had just returned from playing for the U.S. in the U-20 world cup in Poland: Lizzie Boamah (center back); Y-Lan Nguyen (midfielder); and Caroline Birkel (GK). The fourth was midfielder Mia Bhuta, who is now back in fine fettle after recovering from an injury (Bhuta did play 43 minutes as a sub against Duke).
These players are mates on a talented team-oriented squad – they played unselfishly, scored no goals but were major difference makers. Their importance is reflected in Coach Ratcliffe’s decision to play all four the full 90 minutes. At center back, Boamah was a force, making numerous defensive plays including a sliding tackle that prevented a Wake Forest breakaway goal in the closing minutes. In the midfield, Bhuta and Nguyen were vital in keeping the ball out of the Stanford end; they were attacking midfielders who unleashed 5 of the team’s 14 total shots. Goalkeeper Birkel (credited with one save) has yet to allow a goal this season.
Putting together a winning soccer team requires putting the right players (each with a unique set of skills) in the right positions. A coach is playing a game of chess that requires putting the queen in a different place than the bishops and rooks. That’s true of other team sports, but I’ve always thought especially challenging in soccer. You want your best players on the pitch, but where and how to use them is the question.
Against Wake Forest, Ratcliffe played 8 of the 11 starters for the full 90 minutes. The three subs were all listed as forwards (Peyton Marinos had two shots, both on goal, and one of them the winning goal). When Eleanor Klinger returns from England’s U-20, she, along with Milly Bray and Sadie leaf-Schuman, will give the team midfielder depth.
I like the team that Paul Ratcliffe had on the pitch against Wake Forest. More like that and they will be another college cup contender.
Why the different outcomes? Home field advantage – sure, that could have been a factor. Revenge motivation, after losing two consecutive matches to Wake Forest, one in the semi finals of the college cup? Yah, that could have provided extra motivation.
The most obvious difference, however, was four different players in the starting lineup. Three of them had just returned from playing for the U.S. in the U-20 world cup in Poland: Lizzie Boamah (center back); Y-Lan Nguyen (midfielder); and Caroline Birkel (GK). The fourth was midfielder Mia Bhuta, who is now back in fine fettle after recovering from an injury (Bhuta did play 43 minutes as a sub against Duke).
These players are mates on a talented team-oriented squad – they played unselfishly, scored no goals but were major difference makers. Their importance is reflected in Coach Ratcliffe’s decision to play all four the full 90 minutes. At center back, Boamah was a force, making numerous defensive plays including a sliding tackle that prevented a Wake Forest breakaway goal in the closing minutes. In the midfield, Bhuta and Nguyen were vital in keeping the ball out of the Stanford end; they were attacking midfielders who unleashed 5 of the team’s 14 total shots. Goalkeeper Birkel (credited with one save) has yet to allow a goal this season.
Putting together a winning soccer team requires putting the right players (each with a unique set of skills) in the right positions. A coach is playing a game of chess that requires putting the queen in a different place than the bishops and rooks. That’s true of other team sports, but I’ve always thought especially challenging in soccer. You want your best players on the pitch, but where and how to use them is the question.
Against Wake Forest, Ratcliffe played 8 of the 11 starters for the full 90 minutes. The three subs were all listed as forwards (Peyton Marinos had two shots, both on goal, and one of them the winning goal). When Eleanor Klinger returns from England’s U-20, she, along with Milly Bray and Sadie leaf-Schuman, will give the team midfielder depth.
I like the team that Paul Ratcliffe had on the pitch against Wake Forest. More like that and they will be another college cup contender.