Clutch NCAA Performance
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Corinne Zanolli's overtime game-winner powered No. 13 Stanford past No. 16 Miami (Ohio) 5-4 on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Championship.
Zanolli completed her second hat trick of the season and 11th career in the third minute of overtime, converting a penalty corner following assists from Megan Frost and Frances Carstens.
It was a familiar outcome for the Cardinal, which defeated the RedHawks 3-1 in the 2019 NCAA opening round at the Varsity Turf also on the strength of a hat trick from Zanolli.
Winners of four straight, Stanford (11-2, 6-2 America East) advanced to an NCAA quarterfinal match on Sunday against two-time defending NCAA champion and host No. 1-ranked North Carolina (16-1, 9-1 ACC).
Making its 18th NCAA appearance overall, Stanford improved to 3-17 all-time in NCAA competition. The Cardinal's only other NCAA victory came back on Nov. 15, 2014, defeating Louisville 2-1 in overtime in a first-round contest.
Stanford built leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before Miami (Ohio) controlled play throughout the second half to force overtime. The RedHawks (13-2, 10-0 MAC) finished with advantages in shots (18-15) and penalty corners (12-7), with nearly all of that production coming over the final two periods.
The Cardinal was once again led by Zanolli, who fired off a game-high eight shot attempts while increasing her season goal total to 20. The three-time America East Offensive Player of the Year and the most prolific goal scorer in school history, Zanolli has scored 94 goals in her career over 77 games.
After Miami (Ohio) scored in the first minute of the game, Zanolli countered for Stanford with a penalty corner goal in the 12th minute thanks to assists from Sarah Johnson and Fenella Scutt.
Ten minutes later, Zanolli scored unassisted for her second tally before the first of two goals from Juli Porto put the Cardinal in front 3-1 at halftime.
Midway through the third period, Miami (Ohio) cut the deficit to 3-2 but Porto answered four minutes later for her second goal of the game. Six of Porto's 12 shot attempts this season have resulted in goals.
Miami (Ohio) turned up its pressure late in the game and capitalized on a player advantage, forcing overtime after Jenna Kirby's goal at the 58:17 mark.
Zanolli's game-winner was upheld following a video referral at the 62:51 mark as Stanford has now won its last six games that have reached overtime.
Hannah Santos came up with five saves in goal. Sarah Johnson was credited with her second defensive save of the season.