SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2025
NO. 2 STANFORD CARDINAL (13-2-2) vs. NO. 7 SMU MUSTANGS (8-4-4)
Cagan Stadium | Stanford, Calif.
MATCH NOTES » A rematch from just two weeks ago, No. 2 seed Stanford hosts No. 7 SMU on The Farm once again for the second round of the ACC Tournament on Sunday. The two sides will square off for the 13th meeting in a series the Cardinal leads 6-3-3, including a 3-1-2 mark under Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. Both sides will be looking to settle the score after their previous matchup ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Entering the match on a two-game draw streak, Stanford owns the last victory in the series with a 3-1 win over the Mustangs on Aug. 28, 2022. The winner advances the the ACC tournament semifinals, which would be the farthest either team has advanced since joining the league in 2024.
LAST TIME OUT » No. 2 seed Stanford scored four unanswered goals to overcome its largest deficit of the season, battling back for a 4-2 victory over No. 15 seed Boston College on Wednesday evening. Senior captain Will Cleary led the Cardinal offense with his first career brace, while freshmen Tomo Allen and Jack Pymm each added goals in the winning effort. Fletcher Bank dished two assists for his second career multi-assist game, while Rowan Schnebly matched his season-best with five saves between the posts. An offensive affair from the onset, Stanford tallied a season-high 28 shots to Boston College’s 14 attacks, and held a lopsided 12-2 advantage on corner kicks.
REGULAR SEASON REWIND » Going 12-2-2 in the regular season, Stanford remained among the nation’s elite in 2025, spending two separate stints as the No. 1 team in the country and reaching double-digit regular-season wins for the eighth time under Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. The Cardinal offense was powered by Trevor Islam (six goals, 15 points) and Zach Bohane (five goals, 13 points), while the defense shined with six clean sheets on the year. Finishing second in the ACC regular-season standings, the Cardinal was particularly dominant at home with a 9-0-1 record, going unbeaten at Cagan Stadium for the first time since 2020 and recording its most home victories in a regular season since 2017.
GREAT UNDER GUNN » One of four coaches to win NCAA titles in both Division I and Division II, head coach Jeremy Gunn has led Stanford to the College Cup final four times since 2015. He and Virginia’s Bruce Arena (1991-94) are the only coaches to win three consecutive NCAA men’s soccer championships. His teams are 171-54-54 (.710) in his 13 seasons on The Farm and he owns a career record of 358-115-85 (.718) in 27 seasons, a mark which ranks him seventh among active D-I head coaches by win percentage. Gunn’s 358 victories rank 12th among active D-I head coaches by win total.
HOME SWEET HOME » Cagan Stadium has proven to be one of the toughest places to play in the country for Cardinal opponents, as Stanford boasts a 327-128-75 (.688) record on The Farm dating back to the 1973 season, including a 103-23-29 record (.758) under Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. Coach Gunn became the first Stanford coach in program history to hit the century mark at Cagan Stadium, while Sunday’s draw against SMU secured an unbeaten regular season at home for the first time since the 2020 campaign.
COMEBACK CARDINAL » Wednesday night’s rally over Boston College was just the latest example of the Cardinal’s resilience this season, a defining trait of the 2025 squad. Stanford’s 4-2 win over the Eagles marked the first time the Cardinal have came back to win from a two-goal deficit since defeating No. 5 Oregon State, 3-2, on March 13, 2021. The Cardinal is no stranger to comeback victories this season, with perhaps its most impressive comeback coming against Syracuse, where Trevor Islam and Fletcher Bank scored goals in the final ten minutes to overcome a late deficit against the Orange. Stanford has also flipped results in the final 60 seconds of a match twice this season, with Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas heading home an equalizer with 36 seconds left to salvage a 2-2 draw against San Jose State, before Tomo Allen netted a 90th-minute game-winner to defeat Oregon State.
THE POWER OF TWO » The Cardinal have been virtually unbeatable under Jeremy Gunn when scoring multiple goals in a game, holding a record of 127-2-16 (.931) under Gunn in such matches. This season, the Cardinal are 11-0-1 in games with multiple goals, with the lone non-victory being a 2-2 draw at San Jose State. Stanford’s last loss while scoring two goals came on April 10, 2021, a 3-2 road defeat at Oregon State.
GAME OF OPPORTUNITIES » Stanford’s ability to maintain the edge on both sides of the ball has been pivotal to the Cardinal’s success this season. On the attacking end, the Cardinal has generated 18.44 shots per game and 6.94 shots on goal per game, both ranking third in the ACC and in the top-15 nationally. Defensively, Stanford has recorded six shutouts and allowed just 110 shots this season, on pace for the fewest attacks allowed since the 2020 team allowed just 71 shots during the COVID-shortened campaign.
SPREADING THE WEALTH » Stanford has had a balanced approach on offense this season, with 11 different goal scorers and 14 total Cardinal contributing to the scoresheet. Trevor Islam leads the Cardinal with six goals, followed by five goals from Zach Bohane, and Fletcher Bank, Will Cleary, and Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas each tallying four scores. Joshua Partal has been Stanford’s leading distributor with six assists. Stanford finished last season with 20 players recording at least one point, including seven who scored multiple goals and 14 with multiple points. Bohane paced last year’s group with 13 points, followed by Shane De Flores (11) and Jackson Kiil (10).
TEAM STATISTICAL SUCCESS » Stanford has outpaced its opponents in every statistical category so far this season, holding an advantage in goals (36-15), shots (323-124), shots on goal (123-46), shots per game (19.0-7.3), assists (27-12), and corner kicks (122-54). The Cardinal also held the statistical edge in each major offensive category throughout 2024.
STORYBOOK SEASON » After joining the program as a walk-on last season, sophomore midfielder Trevor Islam has enjoyed a breakout campaign as the Cardinal’s leading scorer through 15 games. Islam’s latest highlight came in a one goal, one assist performance on October 11 to lift Stanford to a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh. An ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week earlier in the campaign, Islam leads the team with career-highs in goals (6) and points (15), along with new personal bests in game-winning goals (2), shots (24), and shots on goal (15).
TEAM PLAYER » Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas has embraced a new role this season, becoming a fixture of the Stanford backline after spending the first three years of his career as a striker. Starting each game at center back so far this season, Tenconi-Gradillas and the Cardinal defense have earned six clean sheets and limited opposing offenses to just 7.3 shots per game. The position shift has not limited Tenconi-Gradillas’ offensive production, as the senior sits tied for third on the team in goals (4), recording a pair of braces against Saint Mary’s and San Jose State.
HELPING HAND » Freshman Joshua Partal has quickly established himself as a pivotal presence in the Cardinal midfield with a team-leading six assists so far this season, making an impact on the Stanford offense both from set pieces and in the run of play. Named to the TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 23, Partal’s six helpers so far this season have already eclipsed Stanford’s assist leader from last season, Will Reilly.
TAKE IT TO THE BANK » The twin-brother tandem of Fletcher and Palmer Bank has been instrumental to the Stanford lineup this season, impacting the game on both ends of the pitch. After making the move to the left wing this season, Fletcher has recorded career-highs in goals (4), points (13), shots (33) and shots on goal (14) this season. Palmer has added two goals of his own this season, and has led a stout backline for the Cardinal that has recorded six shutouts so far this season, allowing just 7.29 shots per game and 0.88 goals allowed per game.
ALL EYES ON BOHANE » The always reliable senior captain Zach Bohane has continued to be a leader in the Cardinal attack in 2025, recording 13 points with five goals and three assists on the year, leading the Cardinal in shots (60), shots on goal (24) and game-winning goals (3). No stranger to the national spotlight, Bohane was also named to the MAC Hermann Midseason Watch List, which highlights the nation’s top contenders for the highest honor in collegiate soccer. A former First Team All-ACC honoree and a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America selection, Bohane has been Stanford’s most prolific scoring threat throughout his career with 19 goals and 19 assists during his time on The Farm.
VETERAN CORE » Stanford’s veteran core entering the postseason features eight players who made 15+ starts for the program last season, including leading scorers Zach Bohane and Shane De Flores, as well as third-year netminder Rowan Schnebly. Other key returners include Fletcher Bank, Palmer Bank, Will Cleary, Dylan Groeneveld, and Dylan Hooper, while Alex Chow, Trevor Islam, Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas have also each played critical roles. The Cardinal veterans have combined for 44 career wins and three NCAA tournament appearances, advancing as far as the national quarterfinals in 2023.
FRESH FACES » Stanford’s newcomer class as a whole has made a substantial impact on the Cardinal’s success, with four freshmen finding the scoresheet this season. Jack Pymm leads the group with three goals, while Tomo Allen (2) and Jude Stone (1) also added scores. Meanwhile, Joshua Partal paces the entire team with six assists. This marks the first time since 2022 that three freshmen have scored in the same season, when Fletcher Bank, Liam Doyle, and Zach Bohane all tallied goals. Stanford’s loaded freshman class, which also includes Brad Bennett, Dillon Logan, Victor Fung, Brayden Montague, and Aidan Reilly was lauded as the highest-ranked recruiting class in the ACC and the No. 2 class nationally by TopDrawerSoccer, Stanford’s highest-ranked recruiting class since 2019.
TOPDRAWERSOCCER MIDSEASON TOP 100 » Four Cardinal players earned national recognition when TopDrawerSoccer released its midseason lists earlier this month. Zach Bohane was Stanford’s lone representative in the Midseason Top 100, climbing five spots from the preseason list to No. 12 in the player rankings. Three Stanford freshmen were included in the Midseason Freshmen Top 100, led by midfielder Jack Pymm at No. 4, followed by Joshua Partal at No. 10 and Tomo Allen at No. 98.
CARD IN THE RANKINGS » Stanford comes in at No. 7 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 11 in the TopDrawerSoccer rankings as the Cardinal prepares for the postseason. Friday’s loss to California halted the Cardinal’s four-week stretch as the No. 1 team in the nation, Stanford’s second stint at the top of the national polls. As attention turns to the postseason, the Cardinal also ranks No. 8 in the RPI rankings with an opportunity to climb versus a deep ACC Tournament field.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE » Stanford is one of just two programs in the NCAA to win three consecutive national championships (2015-17). Virginia won four in a row from 1991-94. It is also one of seven to win at least three national championships along with Saint Louis (10), Indiana (8), Virginia (7), San Francisco (4), UCLA (4), and Maryland (4). Stanford went 52-7-10 (.826) during its three-year championship run.
HOME OF CHAMPIONS » Stanford is the all-time leader with 137 NCAA team championships (70 men, 67 women), and 173 national championships overall. The Cardinal owns the most recognizable streak in college athletics, having won at least one NCAA team title during each of the last 49 seasons, dating back to the 1976-77 campaign. The Cardinal has also produced 565 NCAA individual champions and 658 overall. Stanford has won the Learfield Directors’ Cup in 26 of the possible 31 seasons, including a 25-year streak from 1995-2019.
POSTSEASON REGULARS » Entering the ACC Tournament as the conference’s No. 2 seed and the seventh-ranked program nationally, Stanford looks poised for its 12th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 13 seasons and the program’s 23rd postseason berth overall. Reaching the third round of the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons, Stanford holds claim to one of the most dominant runs in recent history, being the last program to win three consecutive NCAA Championships (2015-17). The Cardinal is looking to return to the College Cup for the eighth time in program history, most recently appearing in 2019.
PLAYOFF PERFORMERS » With a brace on Wednesday night against Boston College, Will Cleary matched Shane De Flores for the most postseason points (6) among active Cardinal, with both tallying two goals and two assists in tournament play. Zach Bohane and Liam Doyle have also netted two postseason goals apiece in their careers, while Fletcher Bank leads the team with three assists during playoff action. The group highlights a balanced Stanford attack, as nine different players have appeared on the scoresheet in each of the past four postseasons.
POISE ON THE PENALTY SPOT » Postseason play marks the return of penalty kicks for the remainder of the season, an area in which the Cardinal have plenty of experience under Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. Coach Gunn has compiled a remarkable 10-2 record in postseason matches decided by penalty kicks since his arrival on The Farm, along with a 14-3 all-time record across each of his three head coaching stops (Stanford, Charlotte, Fort Lewis College). The Cardinal went 1-1 in penalty kicks last postseason, prevailing over UC Santa Barbara with a 6-5 win in penalties to advance to the NCAA third round, but falling victim to the other side of penalty kicks in a scoreless draw at top-seeded Ohio State to end the 2024 campaign.
PLAYOFF ATMOSPHERE » Cagan Stadium has been the site of many winning postseason moments for Stanford throughout the program’s storied history, as the Cardinal boasts a 21-3-8 (.781) record on home turf during postseason play. The home-field advantage has been even more impactful under Jeremy Gunn, going 11-1-5 during his home postseason appearances and advancing 15 times in those 17 opportunities.
ACC IN THE RANKINGS » Three ACC programs are ranked in the top ten in latest United Soccer Coaches poll, the most of any conference. Virginia leads the league as the fourth-ranked program in the country, followed by No. 5 NC State and No. 7 Stanford. Clemson and Duke also received votes in this week’s poll. Thursday’s RPI report featured 11 ACC teams in the top-48, as Virginia (3), Stanford (8), NC State (10), SMU (24), North Carolina (27), Clemson (30), Duke (32), Notre Dame (40), Syracuse (44), Virginia Tech (46), and Wake Forest (47) all vie for NCAA tournament bids.
SOPHOMORE SEASON IN THE ACC » Stanford outperformed expectations after slotting in fifth in the 2025 ACC preseason poll, compiling a 5-2-1 record to finish second in the regular season conference table. After first-time conference matchups against Boston College, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech, the Cardinal has now played each of its 14 leaguemates, compiling a 8-4-4 conference record through its first two seasons in the ACC.
CONFERENCE DOMINANCE » The ACC has proven to be the pinnacle of the sport with eight ACC programs having won an NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship, the most of any conference. Virginia leads the league with seven national titles, followed by Clemson (4), Stanford (3), North Carolina (2), Duke (1), Notre Dame (1), Syracuse (1), and Wake Forest (1). Six active ACC head coaches have won D-I national championships including Jeremy Gunn, Mike Noonan (Clemson), Carlos Somoano (North Carolina), Jay Vidovich (Pittsburgh), Ian McIntyre (Syracuse), and George Gelnovatch (Virginia). NC State’s Marc Hubbard won a D-II national title in 2013.
CHASING THE CONFERENCE CROWN » Still in the early stages of the program’s ACC era, the Cardinal gears up for just its second conference tournament since the 1997 season when Stanford was competing under the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) banner. Last season, Stanford split matches in the conference tournament, knocking off 10-seed Notre Dame, 3-2, in the opening round, before falling on the road to No. 2 Clemson. Stanford won seven conference titles in the Pac-12 (2001, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020), which was given to the program with the best conference record at the conclusion of the regular season, and 17 titles across five different conferences in program history.
OPENING-ROUND CHAOS » Upset wins by No. 9 North Carolina, No. 12 California, and No. 13 Pittsburgh highlighted a wild first round of the ACC Tournament as they joined Stanford, NC State, Syracuse, and SMU in the conference quarterfinals. Pitt became the lowest seed in tournament history to advance, earning a 1-0 victory over Clemson. SMU and Wake Forest, matched the highest-scoring game in tournament history, with the Mustangs prevailing in a 5-4 barnburner. Down a man, Wake Forest stormed back with goals in the 86th and 88th minute to equalize, but SMU answered back on a Landon Hickam game-winner with just 54 seconds remaining.
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS » A perennial postseason threat, SMU comes into Sunday’s contest on The Farm with a 8-4-4 record under 11th-year head coach Kevin Hudson and has the Mustangs in contention for the program’s 37th postseason appearance. Sophomore striker Stephen Soghomonian leads SMU with ten goals this season and heads into the match at a torrid pace, tallying nine goals in the last seven games with two hat-tricks and a brace. Milton Lopez (7g, 2a) and Mukisa Emmanuel (5g, 2a) have complemented the scoring for SMU, while Martin Dominguez has recorded four shutouts with 22 saves in ten starts in net.
NOW AND LATER » No. 2 seed Stanford hosts No. 7 seed SMU for the second round of the ACC Men’s Soccer Championships on Sunday, November 9. The match will kick off live on ACC Network with Devon Kerr and Joe Malfa on the call. The winner of Sunday’s match will advance to the semifinals and will play the winner of NC State-Syracuse on November 13. The ACC semifinals and championship game will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary N.C. on November 13-16, before Stanford’s NCAA Tournament fate will be determined during the Selection Show on November 17.