A trip to Northern California proved to be difficult for the UCLA women’s soccer team (8-9-1, 4-5-1 Pac-12).
After No. 20 California routed UCLA 7-0 Thursday, the team continued its struggles against No. 4 Stanford in Palo Alto, falling 2-0 Sunday.
Despite neither team scoring in the first half, the Cardinal controlled the entire match, spending the first half outshooting the Bruins 8-1 and besting them in corners 8-1.
Just 15 minutes into the second half, Stanford finally found the back of the net, capitalizing off a Bruin mistake in the backline. Cardinal forward Kyra Carusa was the scorer for Stanford, connecting on her only shot of the day. Stanford senior forward Haley Rosen continued the attacking for the Cardinal, finishing the match with four total shots.
The Bruins attempted to counter the pressure brought on by the Cardinal, but could not hold possession for long. Of the team’s six shots, only junior forward Amber Munerlyn had a shot on goal.
In the 84th minute, Stanford forward Mariah Lee sent a cross into the box, leading to a header goal by midfielder Megan Turner.
The Bruins started just three seniors in the match – forwards Kodi Lavrusky and Taylor Smith and defender Madison Tye. Redshirt sophomore defender Zoey Goralski, freshman defender Hailie Mace and redshirt freshman goalie Siri Ervik joined five juniors in the starting lineup. The squad ends their regular season against crosstown rival No. 16 USC.
Compiled by Vikram Sairam, Bruin Sports reporter.