Stanford's Jasmine Aikey scored in the 7th minute, setting the stage for a commanding 6-0 victory over #5 BYU, with the Cardinal outshooting their opponents 20-7 and earning four corner kicks to the Cougars' two. The win marked Stanford's third consecutive victory, improving their record to 19-1-2, and dropped BYU to 11-7-6. The Cardinal's next challenge will come against #2 Michigan State in the 2025 NCAA DI WSO Championship.
The Cardinal's offense was on full display, with Aikey netting her second goal of the game in the 18th minute, assisted by Elise Evans. Andrea Kitahata also found the back of the net in the 10th minute, thanks to an assist from Eleanor Klinger, who would go on to have a standout performance with two goals and two assists. Klinger's first goal came in the 34th minute, assisted by Allie Montoya, and her second in the 57th minute, with Kitahata returning the favor. Charlotte Kohler also got in on the action, scoring in the 54th minute with an assist from Klinger.
BYU, who came into the match beating UCLA and Utah State, struggled to find their footing against the disciplined Stanford defense, which allowed just two shots on goal. The Cougars' best chance came in the form of a corner kick in the 23rd minute, but the Stanford defense held strong. In contrast, the Cardinal's offense was relentless, with Shae Harvey and Kitahata creating scoring opportunities throughout the match. Stanford's goalkeeper made two saves, while BYU's goalkeeper made one, highlighting the Cardinal's dominance in front of a crowd of 1744 at their home stadium.
Stanford's 6-0 victory marked their ninth consecutive conference win, with their only conference draw coming against UCLA earlier in the season. The Cardinal's impressive record and current winning streak will make them a formidable opponent in their upcoming championship match against #2 Michigan State. BYU, on the other hand, ends their season proud of what they have accomplished.
In the end, Stanford's 6-0 win over BYU was a resounding statement of their dominance, with the Cardinal's offense and defense working in tandem to overwhelm their opponents. With their sights set on the championship, Stanford will look to carry their momentum into their next match, while BYU will aim to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger next season. The Cardinal's impressive performance was a reflection of their #1 ranking, and they will look to continue their winning ways in the 2025 NCAA DI WSO Championship. #1 Stanford now plays #2 Michigan State in the Elite 8.