STOCKTON, Calif. – No. 4 Stanford was unable to overcome an early deficit Saturday, falling to Liberty 1-0 in the NorPac Tournament Championship.
The loss snapped the Cardinal’s (18-2) program-best 12-game winning-streak and marked the second consecutive year Stanford fell to Liberty (13-7) in the conference tournament finale.
Stanford almost assuredly secured its spot in the NCAA Tournament with a program-best regular season, accumulating a 17-1 record with a 5-1 mark against the top 20 and 3-0 clip against the top 15.
The Cardinal played well and controlled a majority of the possession throughout the game, generating seven shots and three penalty corners. Similar to Friday’s game against UC Davis, the Cardinal had trouble finding the final touch needed to send the ball into the back of the goal.
Liberty’s chances came in flurries and the Lady Flames capitalized early. Liberty’s Natalie Barr sent a slow bouncing pass across the front of the goal from the right side of the circle. Stanford goalkeeper Dulcie Davies dove for the cross but it bounced over her blocker.
Liberty’s Sara Gipe was waiting at the back post unattended and tapped in the bouncing cross for the only score of the game.
Despite the goal, Stanford’s defense played well and limited Liberty’s opportunities in front of the goal. Dulcie Davies was strong in goal and registered six saves. Davies was particularly good in the second half when she made four saves to help keep Stanford within striking distance.
Sarah Helgeson, Maddie Secco and Shannon Herold were named to the NorPac All-Tournament Team.
Stanford will find out its NCAA Tournament fate Sunday at 7 p.m. (PT) during the selection show on NCAA.com.
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Notes: Stanford has limited opponents to one goal or less in 19 of 20 games this season … Sarah Helgeson, Maddie Secco and Shannon Herold were named to the NorPac All-Tournament Team … Stanford lost to Liberty in the NorPac Tournament Championship for the second consecutive year … The loss to Liberty snapped a program-best 12-game winning-streak for Stanford … Stanford holds advantages against opponents in shots (269-123), penalty corners (108-53) and goals (51-14).
