Cardinal Women Open with 2-1 Win in Texas

AUSTIN, Tx. - The Stanford women's soccer team opened their season with a 2-1 victory over University of Texas Longhorns before a crowd of 1115 fans--the largest home crowd in the history of Texas women's soccer. With the temperature in the sultry 90s at the start of the contest, the Cardinal women struggled at first but, in time, settled down to play their possession game. Late in the half, Christy Arnold went off with a bruised knee and junior midfielder Becka Livermore entered the game. Within minutes, Livermore took co-captain Emily Burt's through ball and shot it firmly on goal from 25 yards out. The Texas goalkeeper made a terrific attempt at a save but the ball slipped through her hands and trickled over the goal line making the halftime score 1-0, Stanford.

The Cardinal women kept up the pressure throughout the second half and controlled much of the play. With six minutes left in the contest, Stanford junior goalie Erin Bryla made a dramatic save from a Texas blast and immediately a Cardinal counter attack was launched. With a long clearing pass off the Stanford goal line, Freshman midfielder Celina DeLeon gathered the ball near midfield and dribbled swiftly toward the Texas goal. DeLeon then connected with the fast breaking Burt who made a quick move before neatly slotting the ball past the onrushing Texas goalkeeper. Two minutes later, at 87:26, Texan Bonnie McAulife converted a direct kick for the final score of the contest.

Coach Steve Swanson commented after the game: "As young as our squad is and to play in this brutal humidity, I'm pleased with the way we played." But Steve did add that the Sept. 2 contest versus sixth-ranked Texas A&M in College Station will be a major test for the Cardinal.

The home opener for the Stanford Women is next Sunday, Sept. 7, versus St. Mary's. The 1:00 PM kickoff is at the new Maloney Field.

Starting Lineups:

Stanford (1-0): Erin Bryla, Natalie Kim, Ronnie Fair, Jen O'Sullivan, Elie Foster, Rita Hermiz, Jill Buxton, Christy Stoffel, Emily Burt, Christy Arnold, Tracye Lawyer

Texas (0-1): Cami Varnadore, Sarah Trombley, Alana Makinoao, Katie Cole, Carol Finch, Katie Baruth, Shannon Cuthberson, Connie McAuliffe, Nicole Ramirez, Jennifer Cavelle, Haley Hauptman