Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #9
#3 Pac-12
Stanford Team Page
Stanford had a breakout season in 2013 and they should be able to continue that trend. The Cardinal snuck past Loyola Marymount in the first round and upset Cal State Northridge in round two. Stanford ran into Washington in the quarterfinals and the Huskies had their number all season long. Stanford lost 3-1 and 2-0 to UW during the regular season, but did give them a tougher game in the NCAA Tournament.
2013 Record: 10-7-4, 3-5-2
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jeremy Gunn
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Zach Batteer, Senior, F, 9
Assists: Jordan Morris, Sophomore, F, 7
Shots: Zach Batteer, Senior, F, 66
Saves: None
Other Key Returnees: M Eric Verso, M Ty Thompson, D Matt Taylor, D Jimmy Callinan, D Brandon Vincent
Key Losses: M Aaron Kovar, M J.J. Koval, D Ty Conklin, GK Drew Hutchins
Strengths:
The Stanford offense is in good shape with the return of Zach Batteer and Jordan Morris. Batteer netted a team high nine goals and Morris tallied six. Morris also led the team with seven assists. With those two up top, this will be a team that will always be a threat to find the back of the net. Stanford also has a couple of younger strikers who are ready to play bigger roles. However, it is the superb incoming group of newcomers has Cardinal fans more excited. Danya Kafai is the best pure striker of the bunch, but the group of midfielder freshmen is quite impressive. By most accounts Corey Baird is the best freshmen in the entire class. He should make an immediate impact and there is room for Thomas Hilliard-Acre, Alex Ainscough and Andrew Skundrich in the midfield too. If the freshmen live up to their potential, the offense will be much improved.
Weaknesses:
The Cardinal defense certainly had some great outings, but they were inconsistent. They ranked fifth in the Pac-12 in goals-against average. This team cannot afford to give up three goals to the likes of San Diego State and expect to move up in the Pac-12 pecking order. The unit does return three starting defenders in Matt Taylor, Jimmy Callinan and Brandon Vincent, but must replace Ty Conklin and keeper Drew Hutchins. Sophomores Nico Corti and Andrew Epstein will vie to replace Hutchins between the posts. Neither saw any game time last season.
Final Projection:
Stanford just snuck into the tournament last year with a 10-7-4 record and losing Aaron Kovar and J.J. Koval will hurt this team for a while. But Coach Jeremy Gunn knows how to recruit and the talent level is certainly on the rise. The best years for Stanford are still ahead of them, but for now this is a team that should get back to the tournament and if everything goes well, the Cardinal will be extremely dangerous by November.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.24 (112th in nation, 5th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 1.13 (74, 5)
Shutout Percentage: 0.24 (120, 6)
Save Percentage: 0.709 (157, 5)
Madness 2015 MLS Draft Rankings:
#8 Zach Batteer
Madness 2014 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#1 Corey Baird
#44 Danya Kafai
#54 Thomas Hilliard-Acre
#112 Andrew Skundrich
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Men's Soccer Previews
