Stanford routs Penn State, back in College Cup

STANFORD >> Top-seeded Stanford unleashed its record-setting offense Friday to crush Penn State 4-0 in the NCAA quarterfinals and return to the College Cup for the eighth time.

The Cardinal will play South Carolina (19-2-1) next Friday in one of the semifinals in Orlando, Florida. The Gamecocks eliminated Florida 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

After a tough third-round 1-0 victory over Florida State last week, Stanford (22-1-0) left Penn State demoralized with three goals in the first 12 minutes. Pac-12 forward of the year Catarina Macario opened the barge 90 seconds into the game. The freshman scored on a perfectly placed 18-yard free kick over the wall after Kyra Carusa drew a handball call.

“We’re just do determined,” said Macario, who has a team-leading 17 goals.

U.S. midfielder Andi Sullivan scored nine minutes later by dribbling past defenders to the left flank before burying a shot inside the far post. It was only the second goal this year from a senior who is expected to part of the U.S. World Cup in 2019.

Jaye Boissiere made it 3-0 in the next minute off a well-executed serve from Carusa.

Stanford completed its scoring in the 25th minute when Macario found Carusa with a through ball for her 14th goal of the season. “We started so fast and scored some incredible goals, but we also possessed the ball really well to kill off the game,” Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe said.

The Cardinal extended its program scoring record to 86 goals this season.

Stanford goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz picked up the win in 75 minutes of play, finishing with two saves.