By: Max Bechtoldt
Stanford came into its National Championship matchup with UCLA in Carlsbad Calif. as heavy favorites, and it didn’t take to long for the Cardinal to impose its will.
Stanford got off to a quick start in pursuit of its third title in school history, with four out of five players winning the first hole. Senior Rachel Heck set the tone in the last match out against Kate Villegas, grabbing a three-hole lead on the fourth hole and never looking back.
It wasn’t all so easy going for Stanford though, as Caroline Canales continued her solid play. After an early deficit she came back and won the first match on the course, to get a point for UCLA. Also playing better today was the star of the Bruins, Zoe Campos, who controlled her match against Stanford senior Sadie Englemann from the jump. It was never closer than a three-hole advantage on the back nine.
It was the sophomore duo of Kelly Xu and Megha Ganne that really came through. Ganne never trailed in her match, and stepped up to the difficult par 3 16 with a two-hole lead. After a great tee shot and some struggles by Natalie Vo around the green, she got a point on the board.
Xu’s journey was a bit less pretty at times, despite a 4 & 3 win. Specifically on the 15th hole where she won the match. She actually hit in the water on the hole, but Meghan Royal then did the same. Xu had the better recovery shot, and was able to get the hole win and the match win.
Which leads us back to Rachel Heck. A player once believed to be a future star in the women’s game, who suffered a group of crushing injuries to keep her sidelined for much of her college career. Heck dominated on Wednesday, feeling like the team’s emotional leader. So it was only fitting that she got the point that clinched the title for the Cardinal.
All in all, Stanford won 3-2 over UCLA, but it never really felt close, especially on the back nine. It was an impressive showing for the Cardinal, and with the talent and recruits they have coming back, expect more of the same next season.
