STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford has been tabbed as the divisional favorite in the America East Conference preseason poll, as announced Wednesday.
The Cardinal, which has won back-to-back America East Conference championships, is a unanimous favorite to capture the West Division, edging out Pacific, California and UC Davis. Stanford has been selected as the preseason pick for the third time in four years.
Albany narrowly edged Maine to claim the top spot in the East Division.
Stanford opens its season on Saturday, Aug. 25, against defending NCAA champion Connecticut with a neutral-site match in Evanston, Illinois. The Cardinal faces Northwestern the following day.
The Cardinal's first three opponents of the season all reached the NCAA Tournament last season, including Syracuse, which visits on Saturday, Sept. 1, for the home opener.
Eight regular-season contests are on tap at Varsity Turf, which will also serve as the host site for the 2018 America East Conference Championship, scheduled for Nov. 1-4. Stanford will be playing host to a postseason conference tournament for the first time since the NorPac Conference Championship was held on The Farm back in 2011.
Stanford wrapped up the 2017 campaign at 13-8 overall, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year before falling in the first round to Miami (Ohio). The Cardinal captured its second straight conference championship, defeating New Hampshire 4-1 in the America East final.