Aug. 28, 2012
No. 20 Northwestern (Wed., 12 p.m., Varsity Turf) Up Next
STANFORD, Calif.- No. 11 Stanford may not have come out on top in Sunday's 3-2 double-overtime loss against No. 1 Maryland, but the Cardinal's performance was impressive enough to earn respect from many as a national contender.
Katie Gerzabek's goal with 24 seconds remaining in the second overtime period lifted two-time defending NCAA champion Maryland to a thrilling victory in front of a large, energized crowd at the Varsity Turf.
Consider the viewpoints below of five individuals, all with different backgrounds but a common consensus after seeing the Cardinal in action for the first time.
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THE COACH: MARYLAND'S MISSY MEHARG
Having led Maryland to seven NCAA championships and 434 career victories, head coach Missy Meharg knows quality field hockey when she sees it. Count Meharg, in her 25th season at the helm, among those who came away impressed with Stanford. Predictably, the Terrapins flexed their muscle early in the contest to take a 1-0 lead at halftime before the Cardinal settled down. Maryland obviously remains the gold standard in field hockey, but Meharg might be inclined to vote Stanford a few spots higher in the weekly national poll.
 "Tara and her staff have worked extremely hard to take Stanford to a new level of NCAA hockey. Sunday's game was a great atmosphere not just for Stanford and Maryland, but for our sport as a whole. Kelsey Harbin was exceptional in the backfield with her tackling and in her execution in out-letting. Maddie Secco was also very talented and able to have success with her individual skills to exploit our individual defense. Stanford is going to grow even more as the season goes on and will be a threat down the road."
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THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: STANFORD'S BERNARD MUIR
Between stops at Delaware and Georgetown, Stanford's Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics Bernard Muir has seen field hockey before. However, Muir got his first look at the Cardinal over the weekend, enjoying the La Salle and Maryland games as a spectator. In his two weeks on The Farm, Muir has made it a point to catch as many home events as possible while also being spotted at football and women's volleyball practices. Muir witnessed a highly-entertaining match on Sunday and met with the team afterward.
| "I was so impressed with the team's fortitude and ability to compete at a high level against the No. 1 team in the country. We were able to get a lead and keep our competitive spirit until the very end. I had a chance to visit with the team and coach Danielson after the game, and they can sense there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, down the road, we'll be victorious in a game like that with so much at stake. It was really a neat atmosphere and having the game televised on the Pac-12 Network was tremendous. Anytime you're playing No. 1 in the country, you bring your `A' game and we definitely did that. This is really an exciting team to watch."
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THE MEDIA: PAC-12 NETWORK'S KARA LENTZ
Talk about captivating TV: even the casual fan was probably glued to their television on Sunday. The Stanford-Maryland game represented the first-ever televised contest from the Varsity Turf, shown live on the Pac-12 Networks. Analyst Kara Lentz, who has also served as an analyst with the Big Ten Network after playing collegiately at Michigan (2003-06), was complimentary of how Stanford performed against Maryland. Stanford will make three more appearances on the Pac-12 Networks this year, with Lentz serving as the channel's lead analyst while also contributing studio work.
| "First off, freshman keeper Dulcie Davies gave us a dose of her medicine making some incredible saves, especially in the first half stopping shots and chips - including a tip over the net. A top-10 play right there, and it speaks volumes of a freshman that can start and hold off the No. 1 team. I saw great skills out of Kelsey Harbin, who works very well with Becky Dru in the backfield. Harbin's ability to distribute the ball upfield and crossfield allowed the Cardinal to build an attack. Sunday's crowd further added to the excitement of this game. How about the `oohs' and `aaahs' when Alex McCawley was utilizing her elimination skills on the right side? I don't know what coach Danielson exactly said to the team at halftime, but there was a greater sense of urgency in the second half."
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THE FAN: MEN'S SOCCER SENIOR ADAM JAHN
A senior from El Macero, Calif., Adam Jahn was just one of several members of the Stanford men's soccer program in attendance for Sunday's game. Fresh off their season-opening 1-0 victory over San Francisco two days before, Jahn and his teammates arrived at the game fired up and ready to support the field hockey program. Lining the fence on the west side of the turf, Jahn and company were vocal and energized the entire game, cheering loudly for Stanford and cleverly "critiquing" the effort of Maryland players at key moments. Their energy resulted in a true home-turf advantage.
| "Even though I'm a senior, the Maryland game was actually my first time out there. I was pretty impressed. It's similar to soccer in a way, so it was fun to watch. Also, it was cool sitting in the front row of the field. I've gone to a lot of men's volleyball games and we sit right on the court, which makes for a fun environment. You can really get into the opposing players' heads, but of course, we try to keep it clean. It's fun to support the other teams because usually you know them pretty well, and appreciate their support at your games. They are cheering hard for you and there is a personal connection between the student-athletes from other sports."
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THE ALUM: ALL-AMERICAN Xanthe Travlos
One of the most decorated players in school history, Xanthe Travlos completed her collegiate career (2007-10) with 40 goals, 19 assists, 99 points and 245 shot attempts in 81 games over four years. She earned the first of two NFHCA All-America honors as a junior, becoming the 13th player in school history to earn the national honor and first since 1998. So, given her recent connection to the program, it's understandable Travlos would be especially fired up for Sunday's tilt against Maryland. Even more telling is her postgame synopsis.
| "I was on the edge of my seat and my heart was beating like mad. I'm not usually a shouter but I got a bit fired up and couldn't help but yell as loud as I could with excitement. I was sitting with a big bunch of alums and we had a nervous laugh of relief at the fact that we'd already graduated. Thank God, because there's no way we would have made it onto this Stanford team! If that is how they are playing just two games into the season, the rest of the nation better watch out. It's about time West Coast field hockey stopped being a novelty for the storied programs out East. Stanford seems to have sent that message loud and clear with Sunday's result."
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Meanwhile, Dulcie Davies was named the NorPac's West Division Rookie of the Week following her performance over the weekend. Untested in 10-0 rout of La Salle on Friday night in the season opener and her collegiate debut, Davies embraced the challenge of facing No. 1 Maryland two days later. Despite the loss, Davies kept Stanford within striking distance throughout the contest, repeatedly denying point-blank shot attempts among her nine saves while displaying composure in organizing the Cardinal defense. The London, England, is the only keeper on this year's roster, so she will play a pivotal role for Stanford this year.
- Brian Risso, Athletic Communications/Media Relations
