No. 1 Connecticut Huskies (0-0, 0-0 BIG EAST)
Saturday, Aug. 25 • Evanston, Ill. • 11 a.m. PT
No. 12 Northwestern Wildcats (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Sunday, Aug. 26 • Evanston, Ill. • 11 a.m. PT
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STANFORD, Calif. - No. 15 Stanford (0-0, 0-0 America East) opens its 2018 campaign this weekend with a pair of difficult tests, beginning with Saturday's neutral-site contest against defending NCAA champion Connecticut.
The Cardinal will face the top-ranked Huskies in Evanston, Illinois, squaring off against host No. 12 Northwestern on Sunday to close out the road trip.
A fixture in the national rankings since 2010, Stanford finished 13-8 overall last year, 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.
?????????#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/5IKk4hp9X9
— Stanford FieldHockey (@StanfordFH) August 18, 2018
Given its recent conference dominance, the Cardinal was tabbed as the unanimous divisional favorite in the America East preseason poll, picked to capture the West Division crown ahead of Pacific, California and UC Davis. Stanford has been selected as the preseason pick for the third time in four years.
Stanford's schedule features 18 regular-season games, with Saturday's matchup against Connecticut representing one of four contests against 2017 NCAA Tournament opponents.
The Cardinal, which has won at least 13 games in each of head coach Tara Danielson's eight seasons, returns to The Farm next weekend to host No. 11 Syracuse. After that, it's back on the road, with five of the first six matches played away from Varsity Turf.
A post shared by Stanford Field Hockey (@stanfordfieldhockey) on Aug 19, 2018 at 7:35pm PDT
Stanford is led by junior Kelsey Bing, who has solidified her reputation as one of the premier goalkeepers in the country. An NFHCA West Region Second Team selection, Bing ranked sixth nationally in 2017 with a .794 save percentage while making 112 saves. Named the America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Bing was also an All-America East selection and America East All-Championship Team pick.
Corinne Zanolli, the Cardinal's top offensive threat in 2017, returns for her sophomore season looking to duplicate last year's success as a freshman. An NFHCA West Region First Team selection, Zanolli was tabbed the America East Rookie of the Year, pacing Stanford in points (39), goals (14) and shots (82) while ranking second in assists (11). Zanolli became the first freshman to lead Stanford in goals since Caroline Hussey tallied a team-high nine scores in 2005.
Stanford will look to replace offensive production lost from graduated seniors Kristina Bassi and Marissa Cicione, who combined for 24 goals, 10 assists and 79 shots. Among the candidates for breakout seasons are senior Emma Christus, who has appeared in 56 career games, and junior Phoebe Crosthwaite, who has started 33 out of a career 36 games played.
In addition to its returning cast, the roster includes seven freshmen ready to make an impact, most notably Molly Redgrove, Fenella Scutt and Isabelle Pilson.