STANFORD, California - Stanford (12-1-1) continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over San Francisco (8-4-1) on Wednesday evening at Cagan Stadium. Shane de Flores netted the decisive goal in the 66th minute as the Cardinal extended their winning run to six matches.
The match's lone breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Will Cleary found Shane de Flores, who slotted home a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner. The goal proved to be the difference in what was otherwise a tightly contested defensive battle between two in-form sides.
The first half saw Stanford establish control early, with Zach Bohane testing the San Francisco defense with multiple attempts. In the 37th minute, Bohane forced a save, while Will Cleary had a promising attempt in the 40th minute that sailed high. The Cardinal's pressure was evident through their seven first-half shots, though San Francisco goalkeeper Lucas Jones proved equal to the task with several crucial interventions.
The second half intensified as both teams sought the breakthrough. Stanford's persistence finally paid off when de Flores struck in the 66th minute. The Dons responded with increased urgency, with David Raphael forcing a save from Stanford keeper Rowan Schnebly in the 81st minute. The match saw tactical adjustments from both sides, with San Francisco introducing Ryan Firestone and Samuel Atiye to chase an equalizer, while Stanford brought on Jude Stone and Tomo Allen to help secure the result.
Stanford dominated the statistical battle, outshooting San Francisco 21-5, with eight shots on target compared to the Dons' single attempt. The Cardinal also held a slight edge in corner kicks (5-4). The physical nature of the match was evident through three yellow cards - Jack Pymm and Tomo Allen for Stanford, and Jaggar Judkins for San Francisco.
Lucas Jones put in a stellar performance for San Francisco despite the loss, making seven saves to keep his team in contention. For Stanford, Shane de Flores proved the difference-maker with his well-taken goal, while Will Cleary's creative influence was evident throughout, culminating in his crucial assist. Zach Bohane was also notable for Stanford, consistently threatening with multiple attempts on goal.
The tactical battle showcased Stanford's ability to control possession and create opportunities, while San Francisco demonstrated resilience in their defensive organization. The Dons' compact defensive structure frustrated Stanford for long periods, forcing the Cardinal to be patient in their build-up play. The introduction of fresh legs in the second half, particularly Dylan Hooper for Stanford, helped maintain the home side's attacking momentum.
This victory maintains Stanford's impressive form, having now won six straight matches including recent triumphs over Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. For San Francisco, the defeat ends their two-game winning streak, though their defensive display against one of the nation's top teams showed their competitive quality.
The match ultimately hinged on Stanford's ability to convert their territorial advantage into a goal, with de Flores' finish proving the difference between two well-organized sides. The Cardinal's defensive unit, which has now recorded multiple clean sheets in recent matches, again proved their worth in preserving the narrow advantage.
Both teams now look ahead to weekend fixtures, with Stanford hosting SMU on October 26 at 9:00 PM, while San Francisco returns home to face LMU (CA) at 4:00 PM the same day. The Cardinal will aim to extend their winning streak, while the Dons seek to bounce back from this narrow defeat.