Stanford University’s women’s basketball team began its 2025-26 season with a decisive 87-42 win over UNC Greensboro on Monday night at Maples Pavilion. Five players scored in double figures, including three freshmen: Lara Somfai with 15 points, Alexandra Eschmeyer with 13, and Hailee Swain with 12. Chloe Clardy added 12 points and Nunu Agara contributed 10.
All 13 Stanford players who suited up scored during the game, marking the eighth consecutive season opener win for the Cardinal. “Somfai scored the game’s first six points and Clardy punctuated Stanford’s 24-12 first quarter with a corner 3-pointer off an extra pass from Swain as the buzzer sounded.”
The Cardinal extended their lead early in the second quarter with a nine-point run that pushed the advantage to 33-13. The sequence included a three-pointer by Eschmeyer, a baseline drive by Courtney Ogden, a fast-break finish from Somfai, and a layup from Mary Ashley Stevenson following an assist by Talana Lepolo.
After halftime, Stanford opened with a ten-point run. Agara tallied seven of her ten points in the third quarter as Stanford continued to widen its lead. Late in the fourth quarter, Stanford made seven straight field goals to close out the game.
Swain hit a midrange jumper during this stretch, while Clardy made back-to-back steals—one leading to her own layup and another resulting in an assist to Shay Ijiwoye for an easy basket. Additional contributions came from Eschmeyer (steal and assist), Harper Peterson (jumper), and Carly Amborn (three-pointer off screens set by Peterson and Nora Ezike).
Stevenson led all players with ten rebounds, recording her fifth career double-digit rebounding performance. Swain, Clardy, and Lepolo each finished with four assists.
As a team, Stanford shot nearly 57 percent from the field (33-of-58), about 47 percent from beyond the arc (7-of-15), and over 87 percent at the free throw line (14-of-16). The freshman class accounted for more than half of Stanford’s total points—44 out of 87.
“Swain and Somfai were in the starting lineup along with Lepolo, Ogden and Agara. It was the first time the Cardinal started two freshmen in a season opener since November 17, 2000 at Saint Mary’s (Nicole Powell, Susan King).”
Stanford will next face Santa Clara on Thursday, November 6 at home.
