News Summary
The No. 18 UCLA women’s soccer team defeated the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal 2-0, marking Stanford’s first loss of the season. Bella Winn scored the opening goal early in the match, and Lexi Wright extended the lead in the second half. Despite being heavily outshot, UCLA’s defense and goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor’s nine saves ensured a shutout against a strong Stanford team. This victory represents UCLA’s first ranked win of the season and highlights their resilience as they continue their campaign.
Los Angeles – The No. 18 UCLA women’s soccer team achieved a pivotal victory by defeating the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal 2-0 on September 7, 2025, at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. This win marks Stanford’s first loss of the season, bringing their record to 6-1-0, while UCLA improved to 4-2-0 with their third consecutive victory.
UCLA set the tone early in the match when Bella Winn scored the opening goal just 4 minutes and 17 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a rebound following a shot from teammate Emma Egizii. The early lead energized the UCLA squad and established a framework for their defensive strategy moving forward.
In the 79th minute, UCLA extended their lead to 2-0 when Lexi Wright found the back of the net with assistance from Oruha Hayashi and Kara Croone. This goal was particularly significant as it marked Wright’s return to scoring after recovering from an injury last year.
Despite being outshot 21-6 by Stanford, UCLA’s defense and the impressive performance of goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor were critical to their success. Nakfoor made a total of nine saves, ensuring a shutout against a formidable Stanford offense that had previously only allowed three goals in their first six games of the season.
Allie Montoya from Stanford took a commanding role in the match, registering eight shots, four of which were on target. However, the absence of scoring reflected the challenges faced by the Cardinal as they struggled against UCLA’s organized defense and Nakfoor’s stellar goalkeeping. This contest marked the first shutout for Stanford since a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Wake Forest in the College Cup Semifinal on December 6, 2024.
The victory is particularly crucial for UCLA as it represents their first ranked win of the season. Coach Margueritte Aozasa noted the importance of capitalizing on early scoring opportunities, a challenge UCLA has encountered in previous matches where they had managed only one first-half goal before this encounter.
Following this game, Stanford is set to transition into Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play next week, where they will face Clemson on September 13, 2025. The defeat may serve as a crucial learning opportunity for Stanford to regroup as they prepare for the rigors of conference competition.
The match not only elevates UCLA’s position but also highlights their resilience and fighting spirit as they navigate the early portion of the season. With the win, UCLA has built momentum on their side, extending their winning streak to three games, and this high-profile victory marks a turning point for the women’s soccer program as they continue to strive for excellence against some of the nation’s top teams.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how both teams respond to this unexpected result, particularly as UCLA gears up for their next matches and Stanford seeks to bounce back in ACC play.
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Additional Resources
- Go Stanford: No. 1 Stanford WSOC Suffers First Loss
- UCLA Bruins: Women’s Soccer No. 18 UCLA Blanks No. 1 Stanford 2-0
- Daily Bruin: Despite High Pressure, No. 18 UCLA Women’s Soccer Defeats No. 1 Stanford 2-0
- Google Search: UCLA Women’s Soccer
- Wikipedia: Women’s Soccer
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
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