After a lackluster start to its league season, Stanford rebounded with a convincing 52-0 win over Chico State to improve to 2-0 and top the Pacific Mountain Conference’s West standings. The Wildcats are now 0-2.

Chico State fought admirably during the first half, beginning the game in Stanford’s end and nearly taking the lead with a penalty kick attempt from flyhalf Megan Foster. The All American was the Wildcats’ most potent offensive threat and accounted for some thrilling linebreaks that had the defense scrambling. But Stanford fullback Olivia Bernadel-Huey was perfect in the back field, and her teammates did an excellent job swarming the tackle and regaining possession in the ruck.

When Foster’s kick sailed wide, Stanford flyhalf Nikki Richardson took control and raced to the 22 meter for the dropkick. With the defense slow to react, and the All American worked a 2-on-1 with wing Chelsea Harris, who tore down the sideline but was pushed into touch. Stanford stole the subsequent lineout – the first of several – and messy ball trickled to Richardson. Just as the flyhalf’s opposite was about to make contact, Richardson tap-passed from the ground and kept the ball alive. A penalty set up a hands-out, and speedy prop Chelsey Sveinsson dotted down in minute four. Richardson, a great general and playmaker, hit the first of six conversions for the 7-0 lead.

“It was mindset,” Sveinsson pinpointed the difference between the Chico State and UC Davis games. “We weren’t present at the beginning of last week’s game, and it showed. UC Davis was switched on from the beginning; we started on our back foot, not our front foot. Coming in to this game, we wanted to bring it to Chico as soon as the whistle blew. We weren’t going to wait for them to do anything to us.”

Stanford was more technically sound, as well.

“Our rucks got much better,” Sveinsson confirmed. “We focused on cleaning out, which we did a lot better this week. Against UC Davis, there were a bunch of bodies falling into the ruck. This game, we focused on moving past the ruck.”

The Stanford defense moved with purpose – swarming breakaways and stealing the rucks, double-tackling ballcarriers to stifle momentum, poaching lineouts – and that gave the team a lot of time to work its quick-ball offense. The team’s second try began from a stolen ruck and evolved into a 22-meter penalty. Richardson quick-tapped through the mark and just barely beat the on-rushing defense to hit lock Allie Ballesteros, who darted in for the converted try.

The Cardinal had some penalty issues and it took another 10 minutes for Stanford to score again. The defense produced the opportunity, stealing another breakdown, and Bernadel-Huey side-stepped her way into scoring position. Some sideline-to-sideline phases saw wing Dani McDonald with no defensive coverage for the try, 19-0.

Just before the half, another heads-up play set up Stanford’s bonus-point try. A quick lineout between Bernadel-Huey and Harris allowed the home side to manipulate a disjointed defense in Chico State’s end. A few phases later, Harris cleaned up an errant pass to score in the corner. Richardson’s third conversion made it 26-0 into the break.

With a comfortable lead, Stanford grew in confidence and continued to play adventurously, while Chico State lost some vigor. Chico State outside center Natalie Oelsner and No. 8 Jackie Lovrin helped lead the young team (which will only graduate two players next year), but offensive opportunities were going unrealized: Some of Foster’s penalty kicks didn’t make touch, and breakaways weren’t well supported.

The Wildcats did a great job of pressuring kickoff receivers, but rookie lock Julia Howell was unflappable and took her knocks without surrendering possession.

“She’s a tough cookie,” Sveinsson said of her second row. “She wasn’t afraid to catch the ball and retain possession, and I admire her for that. When I was in her position and catching the ball, and I saw them running on, I was scared! Julia’s a consistent hard worker. When she gets knocked down, she’s back on her feet – much quicker than I am.”

Richardson sent a booming kick into Chico’s end, and a messy lineout allowed Stanford to press the visitors toward their own line. Stanford dove on a loose ball and quickly recycled it to McDonald, who pushed past her would-be tacklers for the score, 31-0.

Stanford didn’t let up, running in three more tries: Harris finished off some quick phases for her second try; scrumhalf Esther Melton quick-tapped from midfield, weaving through not-10 defenders and out-legging pursuers; and outside center Madda Wilson, who alertly swerved around Oelsner before the receipt, scored from 10 meters out.

The team played a comprehensive game, but there were a few stars. Richardson was a consummate leader, hustling all over the field, spotting gaps for the clearing kick, and keeping the tempo high. Freshman Bernadel-Huey, a Bishop O’Dowd graduate (along with inside center Maki Asrat), is simply fun to watch, but also reliable as the final defender.

But it was front-rower Sveinsson who made the biggest impression. Originally recruited for track and field, the Dallas native made the switch to rugby last year, when injuries halted her intended athletic path. Her high-performance upbringing injected both strength and speed into the squad, and it wasn’t long before she worked into the starting front row.

“I think it’s the best position,” Sveinsson said of prop. “I’m actually kind of worried when I graduate and I’m on a different team if I’ll be put at prop, because I’d like to be.”

It’s a valid worry for the senior, because she sports the speed of a back.

“My coach [Matt Sherman] realized that I was a good strike runner, and I’ve embraced that role,” Sveinsson said. “So I find myself waiting to catch the ball off of phase play.”

Sveinsson scored the game's first try by flowing into the back line and displaying her superb pace. She nearly returned a kickoff for another try, and she ended the game by streaking across the field to push a Chico State ballcarrier into touch.

Sveinsson and crew are back on the field next Saturday, when the Cardinal take on Cal (1-1) in Berkeley. The Bears lost to UC Davis (1-1) 50-10 yesterday.

Click here for photos from yesterday's match.