For the first time in October, No. 1 Stanford women’s soccer (12-0-1, 5-0 Pac-12) will be playing on the farm. The Cardinal play Utah (7-6-1, 4-2) tonight and will face No. 15 Colorado (12-0-3, 4-0-2) on Sunday.
Stanford is coming off an unusual road trip. Last Friday, they traveled to Tempe, Arizona where they were scheduled to play Arizona State University. Due to rain, the Cardinal returned home on Sunday without even playing a game. ASU and Stanford have rescheduled their match for Nov. 4.
After winning the 2017 National Championship, Stanford has picked up right where they left off this year. They won their first seven contests before tying with Santa Clara on Sept. 16. Since the draw, they have won their last five games, all in Pac-12 play.
Winning conference games seems to be in the team’s DNA. The Cardinal have won 23 straight in Pac-12 competition, dating back to an Oct. 6, 2016 loss to USC.
Stanford’s success is not limited to conference play. They are unbeaten in their last 35 games, a streak dating back to Aug. 25, 2017. As a testament to their prowess, the college soccer community has awarded Stanford the No. 1 ranking for more than a year.
The Cardinal’s first opponent of the weekend is Utah, a team that has had an up and down season so far. The Utes only won three non-conference games and dropped their first two conference matches. They have corrected their course lately, not surrendering a single goal in four consecutive Pac-12 wins. The confident Utah defense will attempt to contain Stanford’s offense, which is averaging 2.54 goals a game this season.
Colorado enters the farm boasting the only other undefeated record in the Pac-12. The Buffalos have been potent offensively, averaging 2.87 goals per game, the second most in the country. They are led by three players with more than 20 points this season: Jorian Baucom, Tatum Barton and Taylor Kornieck. A win against Stanford is something Colorado has been eyeing for a while. In nine historical meetings, the Cardinal have always defeated the Buffalo.
Stanford will celebrate their five seniors before the match on Sunday. The players being honored are Averie Collins, Alana Cook, Jordan DiBiasi, Tegan McGrady and Michelle Xiao.
The Cardinal return to Cagan Stadium this weekend to play their final regular season home games of the 2018 campaign. Tonight’s match against Utah will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday’s tilt with Colorado is set for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
Contact Jake Steubner at jsteubs ‘at’ stanford.edu