Down But Not Out

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Christina Hicks' clutch game-winner capped a stunning comeback as No. 4 Stanford rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat No. 12 Indiana 9-8 in double overtime in the opening round of the MPSF Championship.

Two-time defending MPSF champion Stanford (17-5, 4-2 MPSF) trailed 8-4 entering the fourth quarter before ripping off four straight goals, highlighted by Talie Wilmans' goal with two seconds remaining in regulation.

Hicks' game-winner and second goal came on her 12th attempt, as the Cardinal struggled to find a rhythm offensively for the first three quarters.

Stanford, which is seeking its eighth MPSF title in school history, fell behind 5-1 after the first period before consecutive goals from Maggie Hawkins, Sophie Wallace and Quinn Healy helped close the gap and make it 6-4 at halftime.

The Cardinal was then held scoreless in the third quarter, as Indiana (20-9, 1-5 MPSF) padded its lead with a couple of goals. The Hoosiers were looking to avenge a 13-4 loss to Stanford less than two weeks ago.

However, Stanford's defense clamped down the rest of the way while the offense came alive with four goals in the final stanza.

Kamryn Barone found the cage with 6:18 remaining, allowing the Cardinal to creep to within 8-5.

Wallace and Hicks tacked on scores to make it 8-7 before Wilmans, who entered Friday's game having scored only nine goals all season, delivered the equalizer.

Maya Avital produced a career-high 18 saves in goal, passing Kate Baldoni and moving into second place on the Cardinal's all-time career saves list behind Meredith McColl (2004-07) with 715.

Stanford will next face California on Saturday, April 27, in the semifinals at 10:45 a.m. PT. The Cardinal is 2-1 against the Golden Bears this season and has won 20 of the last 23 meetings dating back to 2016.

Stanford Goals: Christina Hicks (2), Sophie Wallace (2), Kamryn Barone (1), Maggie Hawkins (1), Quinn Healy (1), Skyler Jones (1), Talie Wilmans (1).