Stanford Cardinal
Pac-12
The beat goes on in Palo Alto for the Stanford Cardinal women’s soccer program in 2012. They most likely will earn a number one overall national seed for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As defending national champion, this team has been tested repeatedly this season getting everyone’s best shot but has come through the regular season in pretty good shape. They completed another clean sheet in the Pac-12 by knocking off Cal 1-0 securing an 11-0-0 run through the Pac-12 Conference. They also have now gone unbeaten in 15 straight contests heading into the NCAA Tournament.
2012 Record: 17-1-1, 11-0-0
Coach: Paul Ratcliffe
Good Results: 8/17 Santa Clara (6-1), 8/24 at Penn State (3-2), 10/28 at UCLA (2-1)
Bad Results: 8/26 vs West Virginia (0-1), 8/31 Boston College (1-1)
Why They Can Surprise:
The senior class and their ability to lead and the consistency they have shown over the past four years on the farm is a huge asset. Stanford’s 2012 senior class will be graduating with an overall record in conference play of 40 wins 0 losses and 0 ties. That is unheard of in this day and age of increasing parity in women’s college soccer. Senior captain Alina Garciamendez, along with Rachel Quon, anchors the defense for the Cardinal. Garciamendez has knocked in six goals so far in 2012. Mariah Nogueira, another senior, has scored seven goals. Redshirt junior Courtney Verloo leads the balanced attack for Stanford with seven goals and nine assists. In the end, the overall balance of this Cardinal side is what makes them so dangerous across the board for opposing teams to deal with each match.
Why They Can Disappoint:
There are not many weaknesses on this Stanford side but they don’t have that one game-breaking, dominating player like they had previously with Christen Press and in 2011 with Lindsey Taylor, who scored 20 goals. Thus, if they were to run into a situation against an ACC opponent or Penn State again in the NCAA Tournament, the question is will the Cardinal be able to get into a high scoring affair and have a Courtney Verloo take over and help Stanford win a 3-2 match? The Penn State match from August is a good example of the Cardinal winning a high-scoring match in a hostile environment. It will be vital for Stanford to be able to handle this type of adversity if it were to arise late in the tournament when they face teams that will be able to battle them athletically and physically for 90 minutes.
Key Strikers:
Courtney Verloo, Junior, 7 goals, 9 assists
Natalie Griffen, Junior, 5 goals, 3 assists
Chioma Ubogagu, Sophomore, 4 goals, 7 assists
Alex Doll, Sophomore, 4 goals, 3 assists
Key Midfielders:
Lo’eau LaBonta, Sophomore, 3 goals, 1 assist
Mariah Nogueira, Senior, 7 goals, 1 assist
Key Defenders:
Alina Garciamendez, Senior, 6 goals, 1 assist
Rachel Quon, Senior, 2 goals, 7 assists
Laura Liedle, Freshman, 0 goals, 4 assists
Key Goalkeepers:
Emily Oliver, Junior, 0.50 goals against average, .875 save percentage, 4 shutouts
Aly Gleason, Junior, 0.76 goals against average, .806 save percentage, 2 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.67 (7th in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.654 (22, 2)
Shutout Percentage: 0.444 (58, 2)
Save Percentage: 0.840 (35, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Stanford 2011 First Round Defeated Montana
Stanford 2011 Second Round Defeated South Carolina
Stanford 2011 Third Round Defeated Boston College
Stanford 2011 Quarterfinals Defeated Oklahoma State
Stanford 2011 National Semifinals Defeated Florida State
Stanford 2011 National Finals Defeated Duke
Stanford 2010 First Round Defeated Sacramento State
Stanford 2010 Second Round Defeated Santa Clara
Stanford 2010 Third Round Defeated UCLA
Stanford 2010 Quarterfinals Defeated Florida State
Stanford 2010 National Semifinals Defeated Boston College
Stanford 2010 National Finals Lost to Notre Dame
Stanford 2009 First Round Defeated Northern Arizona
Stanford 2009 Second Round Defeated BYU
Stanford 2009 Third Round Defeated Santa Clara
Stanford 2009 Quarterfinals Defeated Boston College
Stanford 2009 National Semifinals Defeated UCLA
Stanford 2009 National Finals Lost to North Carolina
Stanford 2008 First Round Defeated UC Santa Barbara
Stanford 2008 Second Round Defeated Kansas
Stanford 2008 Third Round Defeated Rutgers
Stanford 2008 Quarterfinals Defeated Portland
Stanford 2008 National Semifinals Lost to Notre Dame
Stanford 2007 First Round Defeated Sacramento State
Stanford 2007 Second Round Defeated California
Stanford 2007 Third Round Lost to Connecticut
*all team stats through 10/28
See All Women’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
