#16 Stanford Defeats Women's Lacrosse, 15-10, on Second Game of California Trip

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Stanford, Calif. – Lauren Schmidt had three goals and two assists to lead nationally-ranked Stanford to a 15-10 victory over UAlbany on Wednesday. Feb. 18 at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The Cardinal is ranked 17th in the latest IWLCA coaches’ poll and is tied for 16th by Nike/Inside Lacrosse.

Stanford (3-0) trailed for the first time this season when UAlbany (1-1) took a 2-1 lead as Kayla Best scored from an angle off a free-position opportunity. The Cardinal then ripped off six unanswered to take control. Amanda Schwab and Dana Lindsay each scored twice in that outburst. Lindsay put her team ahead for good when she netted a rebound off Schmidt’s initial blast. Schmidt, a junior midfielder, converted from the left side in transition for a two-goal lead with 11:10 left in the period. Lindsay later finished off a crossing pass to hand her team a 7-2 halftime advantage.

The Great Danes, who won their opener against Saint Mary’s, Calif. three days ago, tried to climb back into the contest in the final period. Freshman Melanie Sosnowski sent a free-position shot low into the right side of the net, before Best connected on a fastbreak into the left corner that sliced the deficit to 12-8 with 8:33 remaining.

However, Stanford, who competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, ended the comeback attempt with back-to-back goals. Sophomore Ashley Aruffo tallied her first goal of the season from left of the cage. Julie Christy, a first-team all-league midfielder, then found the cage just over a minute later on a cut to the top of the crease.

Sarah Flynn added three goals for the Cardinal, who defeated Oregon (17-5) and Fresno State (20-1) to open their schedule. Goalkeeper Annie Read made six saves in a game that was played on a 67-degree day after being delayed 24 hours due to rain.

UAlbany’s Best finished with three goals and became the 11th player in the program’s history to reach the 100-career point mark. In addition, she extended her goal-scoring streak to 32 consecutive games. Jodi Battaglia and Taylor Frink each scored twice, while Mel Rorie had a career-best three assists. Katie Neer stopped 12 shots for the Great Danes, who wrap up their three-game road trip against California on Friday.

***********

UAlbany (1-1) 2 8 - 10

#17/16 Stanford (3-0) 7 8 - 15

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 3-0, Jodi Battaglia 2-0, Taylor Frink 2-0, Julie Bush 1-1, Christine Grueniger 1-0, Melanie Sosnowski 1-0, Mel Rorie 0-3; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 12 saves, 15 GA).

Stanford – Scoring: Lauren Schmdit 3-2, Dana Lindsay 3-1, Sarah Flynn 3-0, Julie Christy 2-0, Amanda Schwab 2-0, Leslie Foard 1-1, Ashley Aruffo 1-1, Claire Hubbard 0-3, Bess Siegfried 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Annie Read (60:00, 6 saves, 10 GA).