News Summary
The No. 18 UCLA women’s soccer team pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal 2-0 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. Bella Winn and Lexi Wright scored for the Bruins, while UCLA’s defense and goalkeeper Daphne Nakfoor led the way with nine saves, securing her first collegiate shutout. Despite dominating possession, Stanford couldn’t capitalize, suffering their first loss of the season. This victory marks a significant momentum shift for UCLA as they move into Big Ten play next week.
LOS ANGELES – The No. 18 UCLA women’s soccer team achieved a significant upset by defeating the top-ranked Stanford Cardinal 2-0 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on September 7, 2025. This victory marks Stanford’s first loss of the season, bringing their record to 6-1-0, while UCLA improved its season record to 4-2-0.
Bella Winn opened the scoring for UCLA just five minutes into the match. The goal was set up by Emma Egizii, whose initial shot was saved by Stanford goalkeeper Caroline Birkel, allowing Winn to capitalize on the rebound for the score. UCLA extended their lead in the 79th minute when Lexi Wright found the back of the net, marking her first goal since returning from an injury. This goal was assisted by teammates Oruha Hayashi and Kara Croone.
Although Stanford dominated possession and registered a staggering 21 shots compared to UCLA’s six, the Bruins’ defense and effective goalkeeping proved decisive. Stanford goalkeeper Birkel made two saves during the game, while UCLA’s Daphne Nakfoor stood out with an impressive nine saves, achieving her first collegiate shutout. The result ended Stanford’s streak of only allowing three goals over their previous six games.
The match concluded UCLA’s non-conference schedule, as they are set to enter Big Ten play next week when they face Oregon. The victory against Stanford marked UCLA’s third consecutive win, providing a significant boost to their performance as they move into conference play. In contrast, Stanford will shift their focus to Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) action, beginning with a match against Clemson next week.
Senior Allie Montoya from Stanford was a standout for the Cardinal during this match, recording eight shots with four of those on target. Despite the team’s offensive efforts, they were unable to score, marking the first time they had been shut out since December 6, 2024, when they lost to Wake Forest in the College Cup Semifinal.
This upset reinforces the competitiveness of women’s college soccer and highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, where ranked teams can face challenges from lower-ranked opponents. UCLA’s performance against a top-tier team reflects a significant step forward for the program as they aim for success in the upcoming Big Ten competition.
Overall, this match demonstrates a shift in momentum for UCLA and serves as a cautionary tale for Stanford as they prepare for their imminent challenges in ACC play.
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Additional Resources
- UCLA Women’s Soccer Defeats No. 1 Stanford
- Wikipedia: Women’s College Soccer
- Daily Bruin: UCLA Upsets Stanford
- Google Search: Womens Soccer UCLA Stanford
- Stanford Women’s Soccer Suffers First Loss
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Women’s College Soccer
- UCLA Bruins Preview Match Against Stanford
- Google News: UCLA Women’s Soccer
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
