Photos

by Rick Eymer
Palo Alto Online Sports

Sometimes the Stanford women's soccer coaching staff can't tell if junior goalkeeper Kira Maker is being vocal, since she's so quiet off the field.

When matches are televised, however, and there's a live microphone on the field, it becomes apparent Maker not only has been paying attention the entire time but seems ready at a moment's notice.

"She has to stay connected and fill the gaps," said Stanford assistant coach Jay Cooney, who is in charge of the goalkeepers. "The goalkeeper has to direct the backs, and that means verbally staying in contact. She has to know what will happen before it happens."

That ability has allowed Maker to accumulate 27 career shutouts in her 54 career starts. She'd like nothing better than to record another shutout Friday when the top-ranked and unbeaten Cardinal (23-0) hosts Boston College (18-3-2) in the Elite Eight at 7 p.m.

The Stanford men's team also has an experienced goalkeeper in senior John Moore, but the unranked Cardinal (12-5-2) won't have the comforts of home. The men travel to Ohio to face top-ranked and unbeaten Akron (21-0) for a 1 p.m. (PT) match on Sunday in the Sweet Sixteen.

"It's not an environment you get every day," Stanford men's coach Bret Simon said. "It should be a lot of fun. There should be a nice crowd on hand, though I suspect not many will be rooting for us."

Akron expects to sellout for the fourth time this season.

The Cardinal has had to rely on a handful of freshmen to bring them this far, though by now they all seem to be playing like veterans at just the right time.

At Stanford, meanwhile, Boston College has advanced to its first Elite Eight since 1985. The Golden Eagles played two invitational matches at Stanford last year, losing to the Cardinal, 3-0, in the third game of the year after beating Oregon State.

Stanford opens next season at Boston College, one of four ACC teams remaining in the tournament with North Carolina, Florida State and Wake Forest. The Eagles lost twice to the Tar Heels and once to the Seminoles, both of whom were awarded No. 1 seeds.

"That was really an evenly played game last year," Cooney said of last season's match against BC. "It was early and Boston College is much better now."

Maker, who is also tutored by former Stanford All-American goalie and Olympic gold medalist Nicole Barnhardt, doesn't get a lot of attention because of the artistry from the goal producers, but Cooney said the team relies on her for a handful of saves every match that make the difference.

She made one save near the end of Stanford's 1-0 victory over Santa Clara last weekend that looked spectacular in preserving the win.

"We've come to expect her to make that kind of a save 19 out of 20 times," Cooney said. "Timing was crucial and that's where her personality comes to the forefront. She's very measured and doesn't cause herself any problems. She punched the ball up and Ali Riley had the presence of mind to clear it. I think some of the saves she had earlier were better. She has steady, safe hands."

Maker has been a steadying influence on freshmen defenders like Rachel Quon and Alina Garciamendez. The communication and support has been precise and comforting. Even while Maker has had to make just 39 saves (an average of 1.7 a game), she's clearly a vital part of the defense.
With Ali Riley and fellow senior Alicia Jenkins also working with the freshmen on defense, Maker has recorded a 0.55 Goals Against Average, ranking her 13th in the nation. Boston College's Jillian Mastroianni is fourth with a 0.43 GAA.

Stanford senior forward Kelley O'Hara ranks second in the nation with a 2.75 points per game average while junior forward Christen Press is sixth at 2.22.

The Cardinal ranks second in scoring offense to Portland. Boston College is ranked 14th.
Moore, meanwhile, has played every minute of every match for Stanford and enters Sunday's contest with a 0.82 GAA. His Akron counterpart has a 0.33 GAA.

Freshman defender Hunter Gorskie has been a revelation for the Cardinal, helping to form a solid defensive front with juniors Bobby Warshaw, Cameron Lamming and Ryan Thomas among others.

"We knew Hunter could play but we weren't sure what his best position would be," Simon said, "or even if he was ready to make the jump to Division I. We tried him at right back and he's stuck there. I think he could play in the midfield too. He's a guy who has stood up to playing every minute of every game. When you look at him in practice today he looks the same as he did the first day of training camp. He's soccer crazy; he's out playing every day."

As much as Gorskie has been a key figure in the defense, freshman Adam Jahn has key a central player on offense.

"He's scored some big goals," Simon said. "He holds on the attack and holds the ball. If we're in trouble we find him because he makes good decisions. He plays like a veteran."

The weather in Akron calls for snow, sleet and showers through Friday, and clearing on the weekend.

"We call that a wintry mix," said Simon, who grew up in the Northeast and coached at Creighton before coming to Stanford. "They say that could be an advantage for them but when it rains or snows, no one is happy."

Akron is no fluke. The Zips have a soccer tradition and schedule top teams. They have a good win at Tulsa, and have wins over other tournament teams like Indiana, St. Louis and Ohio State.

"It's not a big secret what they do," Simon said. "They pressure the ball when they lose it and then try to keep it. Everybody on that team can play. If you follow college soccer, you know they have been good for awhile."