Stanford Ranked Fifth

STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford begins the 2016 season ranked No. 5 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Preseason Top 25, the organization announced Tuesday.
 
It is the seventh time in the past eight seasons the Cardinal has debuted in the top five and marks the 10th consecutive year it has been in the preseason top 10.
 
Stanford registered 640 points, selected behind (in order of rankings) Florida State (751, 18 first-place votes), Penn State (731, 10), Duke (701, 2) and Virginia (671). Fellow Pac-12 teams ranked in the top 25 include No. 11 USC, No. 18 California and No. 20 Arizona.
 
Stanford will play six teams ranked in the top 25 and another five teams that are receiving votes.
 
Stanford earned its 10th Pac-12 title and went unbeaten in conference play with a 10-0-1 record. The Cardinal led the Pac-12 in goals scored with 24 in conference play and 35 overall. Stanford tied USC for the fewest goals allowed with 11 on the season.
 
The Cardinal plays host to UC Davis in an exhibition on Aug. 11, and opens the season on Aug. 19 at Navy. Stanford's home opener is Aug. 26 and will be a top-10 matchup against No. 7 Florida. The Cardinal begins Pac-12 play Sept. 24 against Oregon.
 
Among the red-letter days on Stanford's home schedule are a Sept. 11 contest against No. 13 Notre Dame and a Sept. 16 matchup against No. 21 Santa Clara. The Cardinal will have a nine-game homestand from Aug. 26-Oct. 2 with seven-of-nine opponents either being ranked or receiving votes.
 
Stanford will be featured in 11 Pac-12 Networks broadcasts this season, including six of its 11 conference matchups.
 
Season tickets, mini plans and single-game seats are available by visiting GoStanford.com/tickets or by calling 800-STANFORD.