Starting On Top

STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford, the three-time defending NCAA champions, topped the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll announced Tuesday.
 
The Cardinal cemented its dynasty in December when it beat Indiana 1-0 in the College Cup final to become just the second school to win three consecutive NCAA championships. Stanford, 52-7-10 during its three-year championship run, did not allow a goal throughout the entire tournament for the second straight year and upped its NCAA-record postseason shutout streak to 12 - a stretch of 1,214 minutes and 20 seconds.
 
Stanford, which has also won four straight Pac-12 titles while posting a 30-3-7 (.838) conference record since 2014, will head into this season unbeaten in its last 15 matches.
 
The Cardinal is followed in the top five by No. 2 Indiana, No. 3 North Carolina, No. 4 Akron and No. 5 Wake Forest.
 
Season ticket memberships, group experiences and single-game tickets are currently on sale by visiting gostanford.com/msoctickets or calling 800-STANFORD.
 
Twelve of Stanford's 20 matches are at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, including a pair of free exhibitions against Saint Mary's (Aug. 14) and CSUN (Aug. 18). The Cardinal has posted a 37-3-8 (.854) record at home over the past four seasons with a goals against average of 0.50.
 
Stanford's regular-season home opener is on Friday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. against San Jose State. Among a number of promotions, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive shirts commemorating the program's three consecutive NCAA championships. Stanford will also celebrate Cardinal Kids Day against the Spartans and fans can receive up to two free youth tickets with the purchase of one paid adult ticket by visiting this link.
 
A full list of promotions and giveaways for the 2018 season can be found at gostanford.com/msocpromotions.