That was just a flat-out gripping game between Stanford and UCLA.
Frankly, Stanford struggled until their turning point, which was Kelley O’Hara’s rasping, driven, dipping bomb from downtown for the 1-0 scoreline. KO shifted them into the next gear, and Stanford elevated their game after that.
Lauren Cheney is a great pure striker. Sydney Leroux is frighteningly fast, just a bit raw and a bit unlucky not to have scored.
Christen Press played the role of the classic striker. Some great strikers disappear for long stretches of the game, but then, like lightning come out of nowhere and electrify the match. She got a few touches early in the match, virtually none in the second half, but then finds a little space and smashes home a grass-burner that is too hot for the keep to win the game in OT. Wow.
Stanford’s defensive midfield was light-years better than they were in the Cal game. The backline was great.
I’d say Kira Maker needs to distribute better. Too many of her kicks went straight to blue shirts. I am a little mystified as to why she didn’t stop Cheney’s (admittedly great) shot. It went right by her hand, I thought for sure she would parry it over. It’s possible she lost sight of the ball. Oh, well, that’s soccer.
Bottom line is, like Brazil, Stanford got stronger as the match progressed, especially in the late stages and overtime.
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