STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1/1 Stanford’s season came to a close Sunday when No. 21/NR UC Irvine claimed a 1-0 overtime victory at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.
The Anteaters’ (16-5-3) Michael Sperber netted the game-winner at 6:35 into the first overtime, handing the Cardinal (13-3-3) its first home loss on the season.
It was Stanford’s first defeat against UC Irvine in nine meetings dating back to 1993.
The Cardinal controlled a majority of the possession throughout the game and had multiple quality opportunities to score but could not find the final touch needed to take the lead. Stanford held advantages in shots (11-9) and penalty kicks (7-3).
“We had the better chances throughout the game,” said Stanford head coach Jeremy Gunn. “We had five clear-cut chances that could’ve easily gone in. We put ourselves in a position to win but didn’t quite drive it home tonight.”
Stanford controlled the game from the start, generating significant pressure in the offensive zone during the first 15 minutes.
The Cardinal appeared to score in the 10th minute when Jimmy Callinan sent a low cross from the top of the penalty box to Zach Batteer on the left post who redirected the ball into the back of the net. However, the play was ruled offside and negated the score. Stanford finished the half with five shots.
The Cardinal’s backline played well, forcing most of the Anteaters’ scoring opportunities from the outside. Stanford goalkeeper Andrew Epstein finished the game with two saves, including a highlight-reel stop in the first half on a blistering shot by UC Irvine’s Eduardo Calzada.
It was much of the same in the second half with Stanford controlling possession and UC Irvine looking to capitalize on the transition. The Cardinal produced five shots in the half but failed to find the back of the net.
Stanford entered the overtime period undefeated this season with a 3-0-3 mark. The Cardinal started the extra stanza aggressively, earning a corner kick in the first 15 seconds. However, Stanford was again unable to capitalize.
The Cardinal seemed to be in control until the 97th minute when the Anteaters’ Sperber forced a turnover near midfield. He dribbled with pace down the middle of the field and passed to Cameron Iwasa at the top of Stanford’s penalty box. Iwasa turned and gave a quick touch-pass back to Sperber who was continuing his run and hit a shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.
The future remains bright for the 2014 Pac-12 champion Cardinal, which expects to return a strong junior class and talented group of underclassmen next season.
