08-15-2025, 04:49 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-15-2025, 04:51 PM by OCcardinal.)
Thoughts on last nights game:
- Great to see 7 goals. First time Stanford has scored at least 7 goals since the CSUN game in 2021.
- I think Stanford’s inability to truly rout teams like this lately is why the program is still perceived as “down” since Cat and Sophia left, even though they have been to the last 2 College Cups (largely on the strength of their defense).
- I liked how Stanford was able to pick apart USF's defense and finish even though USF played 5 back and there wasn’t much space on the wings. That said, Stanford is super deep in the midfield so I don’t know why USF chose to focus on the back line. It looked like an offense/defense drill. Santa Clara is going to be a very different game on Sunday. They will be pressing like crazy everywhere on the field. If Stanford has as much as a 2 goal victory in that game I will be very happy
- THREE frosh goals! 2 by Brooke Holden and 1 by Y-Lan Nguyen. Brooke’s goals were assisted by fellow freshmen Ava Harrison and Milly Bray. Pretty much a dream scenario. I searched back to 2000 and could not find a single Stanford season opener where frosh scored 3 or more goals. It could very well be the first time this has ever happened.
- I was particularly impressed by Brooke’s first goal. On a USF goal kick, Ava (Nya’s baby sister) swooped in and stole the ball from the defender just outside the box and tapped it forward to Brooke, who had made a great run anticipating that possibility. Brooke easily dribbled around the defender and calmly knocked it in. Hard to believe those were two frosh in their first college game. I mentioned earlier how Aikey didn’t need to dribble past the defenders to score. Brooke looks like a true 10, who can get past that back line and create opportunities that way. She was also very active. Exactly the type of player who you know will make the most of her minutes as a sub.
- Two goals by Aikey. A great sign. Both on terrific runs (one with her left, the other with her right). She looks better than she has since sophomore year. (Per a recent article, she was nursing injuries last year even before her season-ending one.) A healthy Aikey is a scary thought for opposing defenses. I predict at least 10 goals from her by the end of the regular season (maybe even by the end of September).
- Speaking of looking better, Montoya looked very fast. Part of that may be USF’s slow defense, but I honestly think she looks faster than at any point before her ACL injury freshman year. She was outrunning defenders, which was a rare sight the last two seasons. And I loved seeing Kitahata connect with her on a cross for the goal just minutes into the game.
- And what an introduction to Y-Lan! Incredible ball control and an incredible shot from outside the box into the lower corner of the net minutes after entering the game. She made me miss Aikey less at the midfield. She can be that long distance scoring threat that forces the defense to be honest.
- Also, it was great to see to see Elise Evans get two assists. Her first one was a thing of beauty as she saw an opening in middle and just took off down the field before sliding it off to Aikey. Stanford’s going to be totally unpredictable this season. The threat can come from anywhere.
- And I also have to talk about sophomore Jaden Thomas’ incredible goal. It was a volley/flip/chip thingy over the keeper. Really impressive. I’m so glad she’s recovered from her injury. More strength up top for this season and beyond. And as mentioned, Boahmah played up top (as she did late last season). Didn't do much that showed up on the stat sheet, but was active and strong.
- Speaking of injuries, very distressing not to have either Emri or Klinger. Hope they are both healing quick and will be back soon. I don’t know that they ever said what Emri’s injury was. If she’s still out after 10-1/2 months, I assume it’s an ACL injury. Her injury is likely the reason we saw Bhuta at right back. Seems a bit panicy by Ratcliff (just as when he played Aikey at CB last season). I was initially relieved when I saw Bhuta return to defensive mid, but then she returned to right back. Our flow and possession looked SO much better with Bhuta at defensive mid.
- Lastly, our two young goalkeepers acquitted themselves well under limited pressure. Glad to see frosh Caroline Birkel get the start. That suggests she is as good as her reputation. Redshirt frosh Kaiya Jota did well in the second half against a little more pressure. Both looked like good options, but Birkel is the likely starter for any big games. (I felt bad for USF’s goalkeeper. On one sequence she had 3 saves in a row, including 2 kicksaves, but the Stanford attack was so relentless she still gave up 7 goals.)
- Finally, someone asked what the budget disparity was in the Texas women's soccor upset: Texas' budget is $3.26 million. Northwestern State is about $670K.
