Stanford University’s women’s soccer team secured the ACC regular-season title after defeating California 8-2 on Thursday in Berkeley. The win, combined with a Notre Dame loss, allowed Stanford to claim the championship outright. Both teams had entered the match tied at the top of the conference standings.
Stanford opened scoring early, with Charlotte Kohler netting a goal in the third minute. Eleanor Klinger added another in the 20th minute, and Jasmine Aikey scored her first of two goals in the 26th minute to give Stanford a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Lumi Kostmayer, a former Stanford player now with California, scored for the Golden Bears early in the second half. Aikey responded by converting a free kick from outside the box in the 61st minute. Additional goals came from Andrea Kitahata (75th minute), Brooke Holden (82nd), and Jaden Thomas (84th), bringing Stanford’s total to seven goals.
California managed a second goal after capitalizing on a rebound following a blocked penalty kick by Stanford goalkeeper Kaiya Jota in the 85th minute. Erica Grilione scored her first goal of the season for Stanford in the 89th minute.
Aikey recorded her sixth career multi-goal game and contributed two assists for six points overall. Starting goalkeeper Caroline Birkel made three saves before being replaced by Jota late in the match.
By finishing first in ACC standings, Stanford will have a bye into the semifinals of the ACC Championship and will play again on November 6 against either Virginia or Florida State in Cary, North Carolina.
“Stanford defeated California 8-2 on Thursday afternoon in Berkeley.”
