https://pac-12.com/sport/mens-soccer
The winning goal can be found at the pac-12 site.
Stanford played very well today. As noted in the write-up on gostanford.com, Washington had the better of the play for the first 15-20 minutes of the game, but after that Stanford controlled the game. They had the best scoring chance in the first half in a dangerous shot on goal by Gabe Segal that had topspin and bounced right before the goal line, calling for a great save by the Washington keeper.
The second half was all Stanford. Washington barely possessed the ball in any meaningful way for the entire half and the first seven minutes of OT. Stanford maintained control of the ball and generated very good build-ups many, many times, only to be betrayed by poor finishing. A better shot or one incisive pass at the right time would have resulted in goals before the one that won it. Stanford did have a shot that glanced off the crossbar late in the second half, and a couple headers on goal, so it could be said that they were getting ever closer to figuring things out.
What was most encouraging to me was the way Stanford possessed the ball. In years past, even when they have had successful seasons, the defense has typically been great at stymieing the other team's offense, but either by dint of lack of confidence or instructions from the coach, they would generally just boot the ball out of danger and let the midfielders and forwards try to regain control and score. Two seasons ago the team lost in the round of eight of NCAAs, and last year in the semifinals of the College Cup (last four), but there was many a game during each of those seasons when I would feel vaguely guilty when they won, as I was not convinced they were truly the better team in a more abstract way than the final result (which, in the NCAAs, frequently involved penalty kicks following a tie score).
Today they were undeniably the better team, and the defense participated in much more complete soccer than years past. And keep in mind, Washington was ranked 5th or 6th in the country. (Stanford was 8th.)
I was surprised to see Zach Ryan -- who scored the winner on a header off a set play -- suit up. He was the victim of a highly reckless, if not dirty, tackle one week ago against OSU, and replays showed his ankle got severely rolled. He did not start today, but he played for over half the game.
Another encouraging sign was to see Osseni Bouda dressed for the game. I have looked for him at every game when the camera would pan the sidelines, and this was the first time I saw him. (He has been out with an unspecified injury.) Troy Clardy, who called the game, said that Bouda was warming up for the game. So there is a chance he will be able to play at least some during NCAAs, and if so, stands to be a real spark.
One downside: Carlo Agostinelli, one of the first off the bench who always seems to give the team a boost when he comes in, appears to have strained a hamstring today. Hopefully not a significant injury, but one that may keep him out for a few weeks. And with NCAAs taking place entirely in North Carolina, I expect a condensed schedule. (I haven't checked to see the duration of the tournament.)
The aforementioned Zach Ryan is a redshirt junior, meaning his academic class graduates this year. However, he did not participate in senior day, suggesting he is planning to return next year. Only two seniors were part of the senior day activities -- Jack O'Brien and Charlie Weehan -- and they have essentially split one position on the field this year. So absent transfers or other attrition, the team loses only the equivalent of one player. I note that per an old 2021 mock MLS draft that I stumbled upon, the authority of which I know nothing, Bouda was the second overall pick. (Bouda did not opt in to that draft, but instead remained at Stanford.) As such, at least in one person's opinion, he is very highly regarded, and he may decide to turn pro.
But back to the here-and-now. NCAAs will be interesting, as it will include teams that played their regular season in the fall and those that just completed their regular season, like Stanford. Seems like those more recently battle-tested are in a better position. I think this team is better than the 2018 and 2019 editions which advanced far in the tournament, but of course, that's no guarantee of a good result, given the unpredictability of soccer. The draw for the 36 invited teams comes Monday.
I'd love for Stanford to have another shot at OSU, which is a highly skilled team comprised of mostly international students, including some transfers. A third match would follow a pair of 3-2 games this season, one win for each team, that are fun to watch. As noted above, the last one, which was in Corvallis, was somewhat of a hack-fest on the part of the Beavers after they took a lead, and I'm sure Stanford will be ready to really take it to them in a rematch.
