No. 2 Stanford Overwhelms Saint Mary's 4-1 Behind Jung's Masterclass Cardinal midfielder records goal and two assists in dominant season-opening performance at home
STANFORD, CA – Second-ranked Stanford University announced their championship intentions with authority on Saturday, dismantling Saint Mary's College of California 4-1 in a commanding season opener that showcased the Cardinal's depth and tactical sophistication.
The Cardinal wasted no time establishing their dominance, striking just 2 minutes and 16 seconds into the match when Joelle Jung converted Andrea Kitahata's assist for the opener. The early goal set the tone for what would become a clinic in attacking efficiency, with Stanford converting four of their 11 shots on target while controlling possession throughout the 90 minutes.
Jung emerged as the architect of Stanford's victory, recording a goal and two assists in a performance that highlighted why the Cardinal entered the season ranked second nationally. The midfielder's vision and technical ability were on full display, particularly during the 21st minute when she threaded a perfect pass to Charlotte Kohler for Stanford's second goal, effectively putting the match beyond doubt before halftime.
Saint Mary's goalkeeper Kate Plachy faced relentless pressure throughout the opening 45 minutes, making several crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable. The Gaels' defensive structure, anchored by Jessie Hawes and Aleiyah Schexnayder who both played the full 90 minutes, struggled to contain Stanford's fluid attacking movement and superior numbers in the final third.
The second half began with renewed hope for Saint Mary's, and their persistence paid off in the 51st minute when Brooklyn Smith capitalized on excellent buildup play. Sydney Middaugh and Ashlyn Vaughn combined to create the opportunity, with Smith finishing clinically to cut the deficit to 2-1 and briefly silence the home crowd.
However, Stanford's response was immediate and decisive. Just three minutes after conceding, Jung turned provider once again, setting up Jasmine Aikey for the Cardinal's third goal at the 54:16 mark. The quick response demonstrated Stanford's mental fortitude and tactical maturity, qualities that will serve them well in Pac-12 play.
Allie Montoya capped the scoring in the 78th minute, converting Jaden Thomas's assist to complete a comprehensive victory. Montoya's five shots, four of which tested Plachy, exemplified Stanford's relentless attacking approach and depth of options in the final third.
The statistics tell the story of Stanford's dominance: 18 shots to Saint Mary's 7, with the Cardinal maintaining consistent pressure through five corner kicks compared to the Gaels' three. Caroline Birkel in Stanford's goal was rarely tested, making four routine saves as the Cardinal's defensive unit, featuring Elise Evans and Sammy Smith, maintained their shape and composure throughout.
For Saint Mary's, Ashlyn Vaughn provided the brightest moments, recording three shots on target and contributing an assist despite the challenging circumstances. The forward's work rate and technical ability suggest the Gaels possess attacking threats that could trouble lesser opponents as their season progresses.
Stanford's victory serves notice to the rest of the Pac-12 that the Cardinal's championship aspirations are well-founded. The combination of Jung's creativity, Montoya's finishing ability, and the team's overall tactical cohesion suggests this Stanford side has the tools necessary for a deep NCAA tournament run.
The Cardinal will look to build on this momentum as they continue their non-conference schedule, while Saint Mary's must regroup quickly and address the defensive vulnerabilities exposed by Stanford's high-caliber attack.
Key Players
- Joelle Jung (Stanford) - Dominated the midfield with 1 goal and 2 assists, recording 5 shots and 3 on target while orchestrating the Cardinal's attacking play
- Brooklyn Smith (Saint Mary's) - Provided the lone bright spot for the Gaels with a well-taken goal and 2 shots, showing composure under pressure
- Allie Montoya (Stanford) - Led Stanford's attack with 5 shots and 4 on target, capping her performance with a clinical finish for the fourth goal