Sept. 26, 1997

Men's Soccer Wins Overtime Thriller

Head coach Bobby Clark celebrates his birthday with the 100th win of his stellar collegiate career.

STANFORD, Calif. -- The 12th-ranked Stanford men's soccer team opened its 1997 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation season with a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory today over Cal State Sacramento at New Maloney Field. With the win, Stanford (8-0 overall, 1-0 MPSF) remains unbeaten on the season and extended its nation-leading win streak to 13 games. In addition, Cardinal head coach Bobby Clark celebrated his birthday with the 100th win of his stellar collegiate career. In his 10-plus seasons as a collegiate head coach, Clark has posted an amazing 100-46-13 (.670) mark.

Stanford controlled the tempo in the first half, keeping steady pressure on the Sacramento State defense. While unable to convert on any of their 11 opening half shots, the Cardinal defense, as it has done all season, contained the opposing offense, nearly eliminating any scoring opportunities. The second half was similar but the Hornets were able to move the ball forward more effectively. The Sacramento State offense, through good ball control and passing, came on strong near the end of regulation and narrowly missed hitting on a couple of shots within the 12-yard line. Momentum appeared to sway towards the Hornets when Cardinal sophomore midfielder Andy Hemmerich was flagged with a red card in the 87th minute. With a one-man advantage, the Hornets were still unable to penetrate the Cardinal defense and regulation came to a close with a 0-0 tie.

With a man down and the possibility of the winning streak coming to an end, Stanford found a way to win. In the 95th minute of the contest, junior co-captain A.J. Sauer (Spring, TX/Klein Oak HS) took a header from defender Jamie Clark and lifted it up and over the charging goalie and into the empty net for the game-winner. The goal was Sauer's fifth of the season while the assist was Clark's first.

SCORING
                1   2   OT  T
CS Sacramento   0   0   0   0
#12 Stanford    0   0   1   1

Stanford: Sauer (Clark) 95:44

Shots: Stanford 19, CS Sacramento 8
Corner Kicks: Stanford 6, CS Sacramento 0
Saves: Stanford (Zapala) 2, CS Sacramento (Duncan) 1

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS

CS Sacramento: #10 Jerrus Roxas - Yellow (42:54), #12 Brian Jones - Yellow (68:33)
Stanford: #9 Andy Hemmerich - Red (87:47)

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