STANFORD, Calif. – Defending national champion Stanford opens the season ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches top-25 poll, as announced Tuesday.
The Cardinal earned 34 of 35 first-place votes with UCLA, Duke, Penn State and South Carolina rounding out the top five. Six of Stanford's 2018 opponents were ranked in the poll – UCLA (2), North Carolina (6), USC (12), Notre Dame (14), Santa Clara (19) and Washington State (21).
Stanford was also picked to finish first in the Pac-12, collecting 11 of 12 first place votes in the coaches' poll. Stanford's 121 points sits atop the poll ahead of UCLA (109), USC (98), California (90), Colorado (74) and Arizona (67).
Stanford opens the season ranked No. 1 in the @UnitedCoaches top-25, claiming 34 of 35 first-place votes.
— Stanford Women's Soccer (@StanfordWSoccer) August 7, 2018
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Since the arrival of Knowles Family Director of Women's Soccer Paul Ratcliffe in 2003, Stanford owns a 118-20-11 record in Pac-12 play, while the Cardinal's 44-match conference win streak from 2008-13 is the third-longest in NCAA Division I history. Ratcliffe, who has guided Stanford to seven Pac-12 championships, is an eight-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year – no other coach in history has won the award more than twice.
Last season, Stanford captured its second national championship after setting a program record with 91 goals. The Cardinal conceded just nine times, finishing the season on a 1,988:59-minute streak without allowing a goal from open play while owning a 61-1 goal difference at home.
Seven Cardinal who registered 12 or more points return – Catarina Macario (50), Jaye Boissiere (28), Jordan DiBiasi (28), Michelle Xiao (22), Civana Kuhlmann (22), Tierna Davidson (12) and Madison Haley (12). Stanford's entire starting defense also returns, including goalkeeper Alison Jahansouz, whose seven goals allowed in 2017 ranks fifth in program history.
Stanford began training camp last week, unofficially opening 2018 when it plays host to Fresno State on Friday at 7 p.m. PT in an exhibition at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The Cardinal opens the regular season when it travels to face UC Davis on Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. PT, followed by the home opener against San Francisco on Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets for all home contests are available at GoStanford.com.