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Quon helps Stanford women's soccer win Pac-12 title  

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An hour before the San Francisco Giants began celebrating their World Series championship, the Stanford women's soccer team began one of their own after stunning undefeated UCLA with two late goals to win its fourth consecutive Pac-12 title.

Goals by Chioma Ubogagu and Rachel Quon within 72 seconds of each other late in the second half rallied No. 1 Stanford past No. 2 UCLA, 2-1, before 4,068 at Drake Stadium on Sunday night.

Stanford (16-1-1 overall, 10-0 Pac-12) handed the nation's only remaining unbeaten team its first loss and extended its conference winning streak to 41, the third-longest in NCAA Division I history, while beating the Bruins for the sixth consecutive time.

Quon scored the winner at 78:04 after moving into the central midfield from her defensive position in an effort to boost the attack when the Cardinal was pushing for the equalizer.

On the winning sequence, a high cross by Laura Liedle, who moved to Quon's vacated spot at right outside back, found Ubogagu on the left side. Quon took a short pass in the box, but her initial shot was blocked back to Ubogagu, who sent in another quick pass.

This time, Quon settled it with her right foot and swung with her left, pushing the ball across the face of the goal and inside the right post from 10 yards out. It was the second goal of the season for Quon and the fifth in the collegiate career for the team captain and four-year starter.

Quon also factored in Ubogagu's goal that tied the match at 76:52. With Ubogagu pushing the ball forward in space, Quon made a run off the left flank that drew a defender off the sophomore forward. Ubogagu then calmly placed a low left-footed shot inside the right post from 22 yards.

UCLA had allowed only six goals all season and had the nation's lowest goals-against average (0.36) entering the match.

UCLA (15-1-2, 8-1-1) took the lead in the 49th minute by taking advantage of a Stanford defensive giveaway. A shot inside the box was blocked by Quon, but went directly to Taylor Smith, who hit a right-footed shot inside the left post.

Though that shot escaped Stanford goalkeeper Emily Oliver, none others did, which was a credit to the junior who made several spectacular saves in the second half. She made a diving two-handed deflection off a cutback shot by Chelsea Cline that could have tied the score, and earlier stopped a great chance by conference goal-scoring leader Zakiya Bywaters.

Stanford is one victory from completing its fourth consecutive perfect conference season -- with a regular-season finale at Cal on Sunday -- but already has captured its ninth Pac-12 title since the conference began sponsoring women's soccer in 1993.

Men's water polo
Nationally No. 4 Stanford completed a home weekend sweep Sunday, as sophomore Alex Bowen's six-goal effort highlighted a 12-11 victory over No. 9 Long Beach State at Avery Aquatic Center.

The season-high output for Bowen included the eventual game-winner, scored with 1:44 remaining in the contest. Freshman Bret Bonanni netted four goals while Travis Noll and Forrest Watkins each added a goal for Stanford (12-4, 4-2 MPSF).

The Cardinal plays a pair of road nonconference games next weekend, visiting UC Davis Saturday and Santa Clara Sunday. Both contests are set for noon starts.

Sunday's victory was not assured until the final horn, as Cardinal goalie Scott Platshon from Menlo School made his eighth save, stopping Nolan McConnell's effort with a second remaining. The Cardinal battled the entire way, bouncing back from a 4-2 hole in the second period and a 5-4 halftime deficit to register the comeback win.

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