STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal Women’s Field Hockey team earned a 2-1 victory over No. 17 California Golden Bears on Senior Night at Varsity Turf on October 29, 2026, thanks in large part to senior Star Horlock’s pivotal three-point night, which included an assist and a goal.
Just over two minutes into the match, Horlock assisted fellow senior Gemma Townsend’s goal, giving Stanford an early 1-0 lead. Later in the second quarter, Horlock scored off a penalty corner play assisted by Natalie Hoppe, extending the lead to 2-0 by halftime.
California’s Liz Klompmaker narrowed the gap early in the third quarter with a rebound goal following a penalty corner inject. Despite this, Stanford’s penalty corner defense remained resilient throughout the third quarter, registering six successful penalty clearances and limiting Cal’s offensive opportunities.
Stanford goalkeeper Anya Jackson made six saves and maintained a shutout through three quarters, playing a crucial role in preserving the lead. Senior defender Esther Pottebaum earned recognition for effectively marking Klompmaker during critical defensive moments.
The Cardinal finished the regular season with a 10-7 overall record and 2-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while the Golden Bears dropped to 9-7 overall and 2-6 in the ACC. Head coach Roz Ellis praised the senior class’s growth and highlighted the brave execution of the penalty corner defense.
Stanford’s postseason hopes now rest on the outcome of an October 30 ACC matchup between Boston College and Syracuse, with the Cardinal needing a Boston College victory to clinch an ACC tournament berth.
CSB Take
Stanford’s hard-fought win against a nationally ranked opponent showcases the leadership and skill of its senior players, particularly Star Horlock’s offensive contributions and Anya Jackson’s steadfast goalkeeping. The team’s courageous penalty corner defense was instrumental in securing the narrow victory. As postseason qualification hinges on another conference game’s result, Stanford’s strong finish at home will provide valuable momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Source: Original report
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