STANFORD, Calif. - No. 2 Stanford (0-0, 0-0 MPSF) kicks off its 2025 campaign this weekend at Fresno State's Polopalooza, squaring off against No. 12 UC San Diego and No. 5 Hawai'i. The Cardinal finished 2-2 at last year's event.
- The Cardinal is coming off an NCAA semifinal finish at 19-7 overall in 2024, maintaining its standing among the nation's elite while extending its streak as the only program to have participated at every NCAA Championship since the event's inception in 2001.
- Stanford, which fell short in its bid for an NCAA three-peat, was ranked as high as No. 3 last season and nearly reached its 13th NCAA final in 14 seasons. Multiple players adjusted to new roles or emerged as team leaders, eclipsing their 2023 production while helping establish an identity for a new-look roster.
- That’s because the Cardinal was without five players who were taking a leave of absence and redshirt year to train and compete with their respective national teams in preparation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. All-Americans Jenna Flynn, Ryann Neushul and Jewel Roemer joined Ella Woodhead in training for Team USA while Serena Browne competed for Canada. All five players return in 2025, significantly enhancing Stanford’s trademark depth. Neushul and Roemer lead the way as three-time All-Americans and potential Cutino Award contenders while Flynn produced 60 goals two years ago as a freshman, becoming one of four first-year players in school history to score at least 60 in her debut season.
- Stanford was also busy last summer adding Juliette Dhalluin, a 2023 third-team All-American transfer from Arizona State. Dhalluin, who compiled Sun Devil rookie records of 70 goals, 38 assists and 48 steals, also has extensive international experience, most recently competing with France at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
- Sophia Sanders is the Cardinal’s leading returning scorer, finishing with 44 goals, 19 assists and 15 multi-goal games in 26 contests. Sanders totaled 12 goals in 15 career games over her first two seasons combined.
- The Cardinal will need to overcome the loss of two-time All-American goalkeeper Maya Avital, who closed out her career ranking second in program history with 613 saves behind Meridith McColl (715). Jackie King, Christine Carpenter and Izzy Scott will compete for time in goal.
- In 27 seasons, head coach John Tanner has compiled a 641-96 overall record while directing the Cardinal to 23 all-time NCAA appearances, nine NCAA titles (2023, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2002) and nine national runner-ups. An eight-time ACWPC Coach of the Year and six-time MPSF Coach of the Year, Tanner picked up his 600th career victory in Stanford's 25-8 win over Fresno State on Jan. 28, 2023.