Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #8
#2 Pac-12
Stanford Team Page
Stanford is coming off of a disappointing NCAA Tournament third-round appearance, one that ended the streak of reaching the National Semifinals at five. To make matters worse, it was conference rival UCLA that knocked them out. The impressive part is that the Cardinal brings back nine starters, five of whom are seniors.
2013 Record: 15-6-1, 6-5-0
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Paul Ratcliffe
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Taylor Uhl, Senior, F, 12
Assists: Chioma Ubogagu, Senior, F, 7
Shots: Chioma Ubogagu, Senior, F, 64
Saves: Jane Campbell, Sophomore, GK, 66
Other Key Returnees: F Alex Doll, F/M Megan Turner, M/F Lo’eau LaBonta, D/F Ryan Walker-Hartshorn, D Stephanie Amack, D Laura Liedle, D Maddie Bauer, D Kendall Romine
Key Losses: F Courtnry Verloo, F Sydney Payne, D Natalie Griffen
Strengths:
Stanford brings back two of its top three scorers from last season, including All-American Taylor Uhl. Uhl led last year's squad with 12 goals. Lo'eau LaBonta also returns after scoring four goals. Forward Chioma Ubogagu led the team with an impressive seven assists and had a team-leading 64 shots. All three are seniors this season. The Cardinal also has the luxury of bringing back its goalie, Jane Campbell. Campbell had an impressive rookie campaign, racking up six shutouts, 66 saves and a 0.72 goals against average. Three of the four starting defensemen return as well.
Weaknesses:
Stanford only loses two starters from last year's squad and just three key players. Unfortunately, one of those players was Courtney Verloo. Verloo was second on the squad in both goals and assists, with nine and six, respectively. The other starter was one of the key players of defense, Natalie Griffen. Griffen assisted on five goals. Sydney Payne started 12 games and scored two goals and assisted on two others from the forward spot.
Final Projection:
Stanford brings back so much talent and experience, it's no shock to see it ranked this high and wouldn't be shocking to see it higher at the end of the year. Uhl, LaBonta and Ubogagu lead the offense. As if the roster wasn't talented enough, five of the team's recruits are four stars and two others are five stars, including Andi Sullivan, who was the top player in the nation according to IMG Academy's Top 150 list. As usual, the team's non-conference schedule is beefed up with national powers. Stanford starts the season by going to Chapel Hill to face both Duke and North Carolina. Other big matchups include matches against Portland, Notre Dame, Florida and Santa Clara, all of which are at home except for the Portland match.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.68 (88th in nation, 4th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.692 (22, 3)
Shutout Percentage: 0.409 (70, 4)
Save Percentage: 0.840 (28, 5)
Madness 2015 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#8 Chioma Ubogagu
#9 Taylor Uhl
#32 Alex Doll
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#1 Andi Sullivan
#5 Jaye Boissiere
#17 Sarah Robinson
#20 Zoe Pacalin
#45 Mariah Lee
#73 Alison Jahansouz
#84 Kyra Carusa
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
