Jaden Thomas' Hat Trick Leads Stanford Over Santa Clara

On Thursday night, Stanford women's soccer allowed its first goal of the season against USC. Then it allowed another, and found itself trailing for the first time all season, 2-1, in the 54th minute. That score held until Brooke Holden tied the game at two in the 87th minute, saving the Cardinal from its first loss of the year.

This game came on the heels of a 7-0 win over Cal State Fullerton that boasted seven different scorers. Stanford has also been operating shorthanded, with a number of key pieces playing overseas in the U-20 Women's World Cup.

On Sunday the Cardinal got back to its No. 1 ranked form with a 4-0 win over Santa Clara on the road. Stanford recorded three goals in the first half, first from leading scorer Charlotte Kohler, who notched her sixth of the season in the 8th minute.

The way that Kohler took the pass, created space for herself, and then both drilled and floated her shot with her left boot past the goalkeeper was special and showcased just how quick her striking ability is.

From that point forward, it became the Jaden Thomas show. She was surprised by her big sister before the game, who she has a special connection with.

"That was really emotional for me, being able to get that first goal and have my whole family here to see it," Thomas said after the game. Once we got one [goal], two and three just came after, so it was great."

The junior would record a brace with goals in the 18th and 27th minutes before the half, and then made it a full hat trick with her third goal of the game right out of the half in the 51st minute. She also assisted on Kohler's goal, giving her seven of her eight points on the season in this one game.

Stanford would end up winning this match 4-0, with Thomas having a hand in all four goals. She would end up playing just 56 minutes, but her impact was certainly felt.

Santa Clara ended up with 10 shots, four on goal, which led to Rhiannon Stewart's four saves in net as she earned her third win of the season.

The Cardinal have now finished up the non-conference schedule for this season, and will face No. 2 Duke on the road next Sunday, September 13, before returning home to face Louisville and Wake Forest. The Duke matchup will be an early one on the West Coast, with a 9:00 a.m. PST match time.

Duke is 5-0-1 and defeated USC 3-1 in their first match of the season. Duke's lone tie was a 1-1 draw with UCLA on the road. Stanford won its home match against the Bruins 3-0. This match will be a battle of heavyweights.

"Going into ACC, we just wanted to make a statement to ourselves and the rest of the country," Thomas said. "We are coming, and aiming for that national championship."