Huskies Down No. 4 Stanford, 2-1

Monday, November 2

Seattle, WA

7:00 PM

University of Washington

7-4-5, 3-2-2Pac-12

Stanford

13-2-2, 6-1-2Pac-12

Stanford

Washington

Photo by: Washington Athletics

November 03, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Washington Athletics

Box Score | Pac-12 Networks Highlights

SEATTLE -- Washington needed a big win to improve its NCAA Tournament resume and got just that on Monday night at Husky Soccer Field, downing No. 4 Stanford, 2-1. The Cardinal needed a win or a tie to clinch the Pac-12 title outright, but the Dawgs had other ideas on Senior Night.

"There was pressure on us tonight, but it was a fun pressure," said head coach Jamie Clark. "The guys responded really well. You want to be in these situations. In a certain way, it's almost more fun to be fighting for your lives."

Fight, they did and the Huskies will live to fight another day after improving to 7-4-5 on the season and 3-2-2 in Pac-12 play. Washington now has 11 points in conference with three games left, giving the Dawgs an outside shot of winning the Pac-12 should they be able to run the table.

More importantly, the win over Stanford gives Washington the NCAA-boosting win that had slipped from their grasps in recent weeks.

The game did not begin how the Huskies imagined as the Cardinal took an early 1-0 lead. Sam Werner of Stanford one-timed a rebound from the edge of the 18-yard box to give the Cardinal a lead in the 15th minute.

The goal was a blessing in disguise for the Huskies as things began to open up, now knowing they needed a goal.

"In a weird way it took a little pressure off," said Clark. "We haven't trailed in many games either. It took pressure off and let us attack more freely. It worked well for us."

After the goal, the Huskies began to get into the game after having no early chances. The Dawgs finished the half with five shots and got their goal just before the break. Beau Blanchard made a run into the box and was clipped from behind to earn a penalty.

Steven Wright was called to the spot and finished a clinical PK to even the score. It was the first goal of the season for Wright improved the Huskies to six for six on penalties this season.

In the second half, the Dawgs continued to be the more attacking side, controlling possession and not giving the Stanford any chances. The Huskies had an 8-3 edge in shots in the half and got the game-winner in the 64th minute.

Off a restart, Kyle Coffee got free on the left side, cutting back inside with his dribble and slipping a shot near post past the Stanford goalkeeper. It was the first goal of the season for Coffee and likley the biggest of the year for the Huskies.

"I was so happy with Coffee," said Clark. "He had six shots against Cal and today he had another three of four. My thing is if you keep getting shots, you're going to start scoring goals. He was so good up there today. Both his work and his class with the ball."

Washington continued to control the game until the final minutes when Stanford had a late flurry, but the Husky defense held strong. Ryan Herman made four saves, but only one that really tested him. The backline of Justin Fiddes, Justin Schmidt, Quentin Pearson and Luke Hauswirth did well to limit the Cardinal chances, particularly in the second half.

The win is big for the Dawgs NCAA hopes, but they still have work to do and that begins this week with a trip to Southern California to face San Diego State and No. 25 UCLA. Washington faces the Aztecs on Friday night at 7 p.m. and the Bruins on Sunday at 5 p.m.