Stanford men win in shootout for 2nd straight soccer title

Stanford men win in shootout for 2nd straight soccer title

HOUSTON — Stanford’s field players stood 55 yards away from goalkeeper Andrew Epstein, totally helpless.

If Stanford was going to win the NCAA championship, Epstein would have to save the fifth shot in a penalty shootout.

Epstein delivered for Stanford as it defeated Wake Forest 5-4 in the shootout to pick up its second consecutive NCAA title Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Stanford is the third team to win the title without conceding a goal in the tournament.

In the 72nd minute, Stanford’s Drew Skundrich hit a shot from inside the 6-yard box and it rolled into a pile at the goal line.

NCAA rules allow for a review, which resulted in no goal being awarded.

The game played even in the second half and overtime with each team testing the opposing goalkeeper a handful of times, and the game was scoreless through 90 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtimes.