The Missouri State field hockey team could not withstand Stanford's offensive onslaught powered by Camille Gandhi's two goals, losing to the Cardinal 3-1 in Palo Alto, Calif. The loss drops MSU to 0-2 on the season.

 The game started with a scoring flurry by both teams. Gandhi, the reigning NorPac Player of the Year, put Stanford on the board first when she scored in the third minute following a penalty corner.

 But the Bears bounced right back. Junior Megan Shamleffer broke away from the defense and had a clean shot that goalkeeper Alessandra Moss saved but could not control. MSU freshman Kristina O'Connor was there to put the rebound in the back of the net. It was the first goal of the season for O'Connor, and tied the score only 31 seconds after Stanford's first goal.

 The tie did not last long. In the fifth minute Gandhi scored her second goal, again coming from a penalty corner. Ten minutes later Stanford senior Rachel Mozenter added an insurance goal, putting away a loose ball in front of the net.

 The Bears were able to keep the mighty Stanford offense silent for the final 55 minutes thanks to freshman goalkeeper Steph Anderson's 14 saves on 17 Stanford shots on goal. 

A staunch Cardinal defense erased any thoughts of a comeback. Missouri State could manage only four shots the whole game, two in each half.

 "They're a very quick team," said head coach Dawn Callahan. "They play a lot like Ohio University and Kent State, so it will do a good job preparing us for MAC play."

 Callahan said defensive miscommunications during the first two Stanford penalty corners allowed Gandhi to get open shots on goal. She felt the team was a step behind all game.

 "We just couldn't get set," said Callahan. "We have to get up to game speed."

 The Bears will be back in action tomorrow, August 31, at UC Davis at 1:30 p.m. CT.