[UCLA-STANFORD: Women] A golazo by Ally Courtnall and goal by Annie Alvarado fedbrilliantly by Sam Mewis in the last 14 minutes gave No. 1 UCLA a 2-1 win over No. 3 Stanford in Westwood in a Pac-12 battle of undefeated teams.
Lo’eau LaBonta gave Stanford the lead in the 53rd minute with a half-volley from 21 yards, but UCLA rallied to hand the Cardinal its first loss.
UCLA tied the score in the 77th minute when Courtnall, the right back, broke in and unleashed a left-footed over the reach of Stanford goalkeeper JaneCampbell to the far post.
With five minutes to play, Mewis broke through midfield and played a through ball to Alvarado, who scored from about 10 yards on a low shot that snuckinside the far post for the winner. It marked the first time Stanford has trailed all season.
The two goals UCLA scored matched the total Stanford had allowed in its first 12 games.Stanford entered the match with the nation’s top defense, leading the country in goals-against average (0.16).
It was the third consecutive victory for UCLA (11-0-2, 3-0-1) in theseries, and the win vaults the Bruins into sole possession of first place in the Pac-12.
You should have mentioned that Ms. Courtnall is Sarah Vaughn’s grand-daughter, and (surprise) sang the national anthem.