STANFORD, Calif. -- For the fifth time in six contests, the No. 4 Stanford women’s soccer team will play a ranked opponent, and this will be a top-10 matchup. Fresh off its 2-1 victory over then-No. 2 Florida State, No. 6 Florida will make its first appearance at Stanford since 2002, on Friday at 7:30 p.m.. Stanford’s homestand continues Sunday when Dayton, the 2013 Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season champion, arrives for a 1 p.m. match.
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The following is a closer look at this weekend’s matches:
Who: No. 4 Stanford (4-0-1) vs. No. 6 Florida (4-1)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
All-Time Series Record: Stanford leads, 2-0
TV: Pac-12 Networks (Ann Schatz and Kyndra de St. Aubin on the call)
Live Stats: Click here
Twitter: @StanfordWSoccer
Tickets: Look for links on GoStanford.com or call 1-800-STANFORD
Parking: Lot 2 is closed; Extra parking available in Masters Grove.
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Who: No. 4 Stanford (4-0-1) vs. Dayton (2-3-1)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Where: Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
All-Time Series Record: Stanford leads, 1-0
Live Stats: Click here
Twitter: @StanfordWSoccer
Tickets: Look for links on GoStanford.com or call 1-800-STANFORD
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Season in Review: Stanford has opened with five consecutive shutout victories, tying a school record for the beginning of the season, and has not allowed a goal in 489 minutes, 35 seconds, dating back to last year. Stanford returned nine starters and 70 percent of its goals from a 15-6-1 season that ended with its eighth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. However, Stanford’s 2013 goal total of 37 was its lowest since 2006.
The Cardinal is averaging 1.2 goals per match, and it’s been enough to beat No. 4 North Carolina, No. 18 Duke, and No. 14 Portland to open the season, all on the road. Senior forward Chioma Ubogagu has scored three of the team’s six goals including winners at North Carolina (in overtime) and Portland, in 1-0 victories. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell has four shutouts, following the Cardinal’s 0-0 draw against visiting Notre Dame on Sunday,
Friday’s Opponent, Florida: Florida (4-1) jumped from No. 8 to No. 6 in the NSCAA coaches’ poll, and is up to No. 5 in the Soccer America rankings, after a 2-1 road victory over No. 2 Florida State. The goals were scored in the first half by Pamela Begic, a Slovenian national team player, and Betsy Middleton, a sophomore transfer from Miami. Florida’s only loss has been at current No. 15 Oklahoma, 2-1, on Aug. 29. The Gators went 18-5-1 last year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Savannah Jordan scored 22 goals last year, tied for the third-highest total in the nation and was named national Freshman of the Year by Soccer America, as well as earning NSCAA second-team All-America honors. Florida was the preseason pick to win the Southeastern Conference in a vote of conference coaches.
The Stanford-Florida Series: Stanford leads the all-time series, 2-0. This is their first meeting since 2002 when the No. 2 Cardinal won in a 4-0 rout at home over the No. 16 Gators as goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart earned her fifth shutout in six matches. In the 2001 opener, No. 15 Stanford won at No. 18 Florida, 3-2, in overtime. Stanford rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit and got the winner from Marcia Wallis 1:15 into the first overtime.
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Sunday’s Opponent, Dayton: The Flyers, who play at No. 24 Santa Clara on Friday, are 2-3-1 after a pair of losses last weekend at the Ohio State Tournament -- 4-2 to Ohio State and 2-1 to Indiana. Among its results are a 4-3 loss to current No. 12 Texas A&M and 2-0 over common opponent UC Santa Barbara. Nicole Waters and Ashley Campbell lead the team with four goals apiece. Dayton won the Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season title in 2013, finishing 14-5-2, but losing in the A-10 final to be denied a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Flyers were the 2014 A-10 preseason favorite by a vote of the conference coaches.
The Stanford-Dayton Series: Stanford and Dayton have met once, with No. 7 Stanford earning a 6-0 victory on Sept. 23, 2001, at home. The losing margin remains a school record for Dayton.
Shutout Streak: Stanford tied a school-record by opening the season with five shutouts, matching the feat of the 1989 team. The Cardinal has not allowed a goal in 489 minutes, 35 seconds, dating back to last season. This season, Stanford has played 479 minutes, and Jane Campbell has been in goal for 434 of them, earning four shutouts. Stanford’s record for most consecutive shutouts is seven, which has been achieved four times, most recently in 2011. The school record for consecutive shutout minutes is 774:22, bridging the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Campbell, a sophomore, now has 10 career shutouts. With one more, Campbell will move into a tie with Jennifer Poehler (1991-94) for No. 10 on Stanford’s all-time career list.
Milestone Near: Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe needs two more victories to reach 200 at Stanford. In his 12th season on The Farm, the three-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year, is 198-43-22 (.795) with four Pac-12 titles, five College Cup berths, and one national championship (2011). Here is how Ratcliffe’s record ranks in victories among current Stanford coaches in other sports, including only seasons at Stanford:
1. Mark Marquess, Baseball, 1,565-833-7
2. Tara VanDerveer, Women’s basketball, 775-156
3. John Tanner, Women’s water polo, 380-59
4. John Dunning, Women’s volleyball, 372-67
5. Lele Forood, Women’s tennis, 350-26
6. John Vargas, Men’s water polo, 242-77
7. Kristen Smyth, Women’s gymnastics, 210-60-1
8. Paul Ratcliffe, Women’s soccer, 198-43-22
Here is how Ratcliffe ranks among Stanford soccer coaches, men and women:
1. Paul Ratcliffe, Women (2003-14), 198-43-22
2. Fred Priddle, Men (1954-75), 133-119-23
3. Harry Maloney, Men (1911-42), 104-60-40
4. Nelson Lodge, Men (1976-83), 95-56-15
5. Bret Simon, Men (2001-11), 94-89-30
6. Berhane Andeberhan, Women (1987-92), 77-26-11
7. Bobby Clark, Men (1996-2000), 71-21-12
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Tough Schedule: Some facts about Stanford’s 2014 schedule:
• Of the eight schools that have won NCAA women’s soccer titles (not including Stanford), Stanford plays seven of them. George Mason is the exception.
• Opponents have combined for 30 of 31 all-time non-Stanford NCAA titles.
• Of teams in the NSCAA preseason rankings, Stanford plays seven of the Top 25, five of the top 11, and two of the top four, including No. 1.
• Eleven opponents are coming off NCAA tournament appearances, and eight of those advanced past the first round.
• Sixteen opponents were .500 or better last season, including all nine nonconference foes.
• Six opponents won regular-season conference championships.
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U-20 World Cup: Three Stanford players -- sophomore goalkeeper Jane Campbell, sophomore defender Stephanie Amack, and freshman midfielder Andi Sullivan -- were on the U.S. team at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada. The U.S. reached the quarterfinals Saturday before losing to North Korea on penalty kicks. Amack and Sullivan started all four matches for the U.S., Amack at right outside back and Sullivan as a holding midfielder. They missed 12 days of training camp before joining the team the week of its opener and have started each match this season. Senior forward Chioma Ubogagu and Amack were on the winning U.S. team in 2012.
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Two-sport star: Stanford senior Hannah Farr, who plays outside back and midfield this season, also plays lacrosse for Stanford and was named IWLCA second-team All-America in that sport in 2014. Farr also was named Player of the Year in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and to the IWLCA All-West Region first team. Farr scored 31 goals and had 13 assists in 2014 for a Cardinal lacrosse team that advanced to the NCAA tournament. Farr is searching for her first collegiate soccer goal.
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No. 1 Freshman Class: Stanford’s seven-player freshman class has been rated No. 1 in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The class features Top Drawer’s No. 1 prospect, Andi Sullivan, a co-captain of the U.S. team at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Also, three freshmen -- Jaye Boissiere, Zoe Pacalin, and Sarah Robinson -- are local products who were teammates on the Mountain View/Los Altos Lightning, winning a national U-14 championship in 2010. Sixteen players from the Lightning went on to sign Division I letters of intent. Sullivan has started every match and Lee has played in all five as a reserve. Boissiere and Pacalin have played in one match apiece. Kyra Carusa, Alison Jahansouz and Robinson, have not yet played.
Here are the seven freshmen:
• Jaye Boissiere, M, Los Altos Hills, Calif.
• Kyra Carusa, F, San Diego, Calif.
• Alison Jahansouz, G, Huntington Beach, Calif.
• Mariah Lee, F, Covington, Wash.
• Zoe Pacalin, M, Portola Valley, Calif.
• Sarah Robinson, M, Los Altos, Calif.
• Andi Sullivan, M, Lorton, Va.
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Finding the Right Combination: Last year, Stanford used 15 different lineups in 22 matches. Twenty-one players started at least once, including six freshmen. This year, coach Paul Ratcliffe has used the same lineup in four of the first five matches.
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Team Captains: Stanford’s team captains this season are seniors Alex Doll, Lo’eau LaBonta, and Chioma Ubogagu.
Clutch Player: Chioma Ubogagu has scored a team-high three goals. And, with an assist, and a shot that was rebounded for another goal, Ubogagu has played a role in five of Stanford’s six goals this season. The senior forward is a four-year starter and was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year during Stanford’s 2011 NCAA championship season.
Ubogagu scored the overtime winner in the opener at No. 4 North Carolina on Aug. 22. Alex Doll pushed the ball wide to Ubogagu just outside the box. Ubogagu spun right, beat three defenders toward the end line and squeezed in a shot to the near post at 99:00.
At No. 14 Portland on Aug. 30, Ubogagu read a crossfield pass and pressured the center back into missing the ball. Ubogagu took possession and bolted for the goal, scoring on a low shot with her left foot from 18 yards in the 30th minute.
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Most Frequent Starting Lineup:
GK: Jane Campbell, so.; 0.00 GAA, 4 shutouts.
D: Stephanie Amack, so.; Starter on U.S. U-20 World Cup team.
D: Maddie Bauer, so.; 2013 NSCAA All-Pacific Region 1st team.
D: Laura Liedle, jr.; Three-year starter at outside back.
D: Kendall Romine, 5th sr.; NCAA title starter in 2011 in middle.
M: Alex Doll, sr.; Team captain and three-year starter.
M: Lo’eau LaBonta, sr.; 2013 NSCAA All-Pacific Region 1st team.
M: Andi Sullivan, fr.; U.S. co-captain at U-20 World Cup.
F: Chioma Ubogagu, sr.; Team scoring leader with three goals.
F: Taylor Uhl, sr.; Has 48 career goals, No. 3 in NCAA.
F: Ryan Walker-Hartshorn, so.; Bay Area product from Oakland.
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Hermann Trophy Watch List: Two Stanford players were named to the Hermann Trophy watch list – seniors Lo’eau LaBonta and Taylor Uhl. The award is presented by the Missouri Athletic Club to the nation’s top player. Stanford has won three times: Kelley O’Hara in 2009, Christen Press in 2010, and Teresa Noyola in 2011.
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Senior CLASS Award Candidates: Alex Doll and Taylor Uhl are among 30 players named as candidates for the Senior CLASS Award, which honors those who excel in athletics, academics, and community service.
Majors: The following are declared majors for Stanford players. A note: Stanford students declare their majors as juniors, so this list includes only upperclassmen:
• Kate Bettinger: Science, technology, and society.
• Alex Doll: Economics.
• Katie Donahue: Engineering
• Hannah Farr: Science, technology, and society.
• Lo’eau LaBonta: Product design
• Laura Liedle: Human biology
• Kendall Romine: Master’s in int’l relations.
• Haley Rosen: Science, technology, and society.
• Lauren Schmidt: Human biology.
• Chioma Ubogagu: Film and media studies.
• Taylor Uhl: Biomechanical engineering.
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All-Academic Honors: The Stanford women’s soccer team completed the spring quarter with a team mean cumulative GPA of 3.31.
Eight Cardinal received Pac-12 All-Academic team honors, including four current players:
Alex Doll, 3.51 current cumulative GPA
Hannah Farr, 3.64
Laura Liedle, 3.04
Kendall Romine, 3.48 (graduated in spring with degree in international relations, now working toward master's)
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Stanford’s Situational Records:
• When scoring first: 4-0
• When opponents score first: 0-0
• When leading at halftime: 2-0
• When tied at halftime: 2-0-0
• When trailing at halftime: 0-0
• When trailing at any time: 0-0
• At Home: 1-0-1
• At Opponent: 2-0
• At Neutral Field: 1-0
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Scoring Standout: Stanford senior Taylor Uhl is the third-leading active scorer in NCAA Division I, with 48 goals. She trails only Illinois State’s Rachel Tejada (55 career goals), and Winthrop’s Krystyna Freda (54). Uhl arrived last season as a junior transfer from Minnesota, where she led the nation in goals (21) and points (51) in 2012 and earned NSCAA third-team All-America honors. Uhl’s 12 goals last year led the Pac-12.
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2014 Pac-12 Women’s Soccer Coaches Poll:
1. UCLA (11), 121; 2. Stanford (1), 110; 3. California, 91; 4. USC, 83; 5. Colorado, 78; 6. Washington State, 69; 7. Utah, 67; 8. Arizona State, 51; 8. Washington, 51; 10. Arizona, 33; 11. Oregon, 22; 12. Oregon State, 16.
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Stanford in the NWSL: Nicole Barnhart ‘04, a Stanford volunteer assistant coach, captured the National Women’s Soccer League title as the starting goalkeeper for FC Kansas City. Barnhart had seven saves in a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Reign in the final. On the losing end of that result was Mariah Nogueira ‘13. They were among eight former Stanford players in the NWSL. The others were: Christen Press ’11 and Rachel Quon ’13 of the Chicago Red Stars, Cami Levin ’12, Kelley O’Hara ’10, and Madeleine Thompson ’13 of New Jersey-based Sky Blue FC, Teresa Noyola ’12 of the expansion Houston Dash, and Rachel (Buehler) Van Hollebeke of the Portland Thorns FC.
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National Leaders: Stanford is tied for first as a team in the nation in goals against average (0.00), save percentage (1.000), and shutout percentage (1.000). Individually, goalkeeper Jane Campbell is tied for first in GAA (0.00) and save percentage (1.000).
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Stanford’s NCAA History: The Cardinal has qualified for 16 consecutive NCAA tournaments and 23 overall. In 2013, Stanford failed to advance to the College Cup for the first time in six years. Stanford won the 2011 NCAA title and has an ongoing home NCAA tournament winning streak of 21.
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Returning All-Conference: Four returning Stanford players were recognized by the Pac-12 last season. Then-junior midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta and freshman central defender Maddie Bauer were named to the second team, and junior forward Chioma Ubogagu was honorable mention. Also, Bauer and midfielder/defender Stephanie Amack were named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team.