May 2, 2012
2012 Schedule
STANFORD, Calif.- Head coach Tara Danielson has announced the 2012 field hockey schedule, which features five contests against NCAA Tournament squads from a year ago and a visit to The Farm from two-time defending NCAA champion Maryland.
A total of six teams ranked in the top-20 of the final 2011 Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches poll appear on Stanford's schedule.
The Cardinal appears poised to handle such a highly-competitive schedule. Completing one of the most impressive seasons in school history in 2011, Stanford (17-4, 6-0 NorPac) tied a school record for victories, reached its highest-ever national ranking at No. 6 and sported a top-10 RPI for the entire season. Boasting six top-20 victories, the Cardinal earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
The 18-game regular-season slate includes eight contests to be played at the Varsity Turf, beginning with the home opener on Aug. 24 against La Salle in what represents the Cardinal's earliest start to a season in school history.
Two days later, Stanford hosts Maryland in what ranks among the most high-profile home games in school history. One of the sport's most storied programs, the Terrapins are coming off back-to-back national championships and have won five of the last seven NCAA titles overall.
The Cardinal wraps up its season-long three-game homestand against Northwestern, as the Wildcats visit the Varsity Turf for the first time in five years in a weekday matinee.
The longest road swing of the year follows, with Stanford playing three straight games in East Lansing, Mich. After battling host Michigan State on Aug. 31 to kick off the weekend, the Cardinal takes on Miami (OH) and Central Michigan in neutral-site contests.
On Sept. 7, Stanford hosts its second Big Ten opponent of the year as Iowa visits the Varsity Turf. The Hawkeyes advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year, making their 21st appearance in school history. The Cardinal's homestand concludes two days later with an afternoon contest against Drexel.
One day after facing Radford in a neutral-site game, Stanford prepares for yet another marquee opponent in North Carolina, runner-up to Maryland in each of the last two national championships. The Tar Heels have won six NCAA titles, including two over the last five years, while reaching the Final Four in three consecutive seasons and 16 overall.
A Sept. 30 contest at California ushers in the start of NorPac play, which will once again feature a round-robin format among Western Division opponents. Stanford will look to continue its dominance of California, having won nine of the last 13 matchups in the overall series.
Sandwiched between conference matches against UC Davis and Pacific is Stanford's most difficult road trip of the season. The Cardinal squares off against Syracuse on Oct. 12 in Amherst, Mass., before facing Connecticut for the first time since 2003 in a true road game on Oct. 14. Syracuse, last year's BIG EAST tournament champion, advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round last year while Connecticut finished 19-3 and qualified for the NCAA Final Four for the third time in the last six years. Stepping out of conference play late in the season against premier non-conference competition should allow Stanford to strengthen its postseason resume.
Stanford's rematch with California falls on Oct. 26 in the regular season finale. One of three night matches at the Varsity Turf, this particular contest will also include a Senior Night tribute.
The NorPac Championship will be hosted by Longwood, getting underway from Nov. 1-3 at Farmville, Va.
Another potential home game exists in 2012, as the NorPac Tournament champion will host an NCAA Play-In game against the MAC Tournament champion. It's the second consecutive year the NorPac champ has been awarded a host bid.