NCAA Semifinal Finish In 2026

STANFORD, Calif. - The nation’s only program to have participated in all 25 NCAA Championships since the event’s inception in 2001, Stanford (15-2, 5-1 MPSF) advanced to the NCAA semifinals in 2026.

The Cardinal produced another impressive season, highlighted by its ninth MPSF title and fourth in the past five years. Ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the season, Stanford swept three meetings against UCLA, defeated California twice and beat eventual NCAA champion USC in the conference final. Stanford also captured the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, securing its fourth tournament title in five seasons.

Stanford was well represented with five ACWPC All-Americans, led by first-team selections and Peter J. Cutino Award finalists Juliette Dhalluin and Jenna Flynn. Christine Carpenter earned a spot on the second team while Sienna Green and Ella Woodhead received honorable mention status. Stanford was honored with at least five All-Americans for the sixth straight season. The Cardinal has produced 66 All-Americans in school history, with those individuals combining for 159 honors.

Boasting multiple Peter J. Cutino Award finalists for the seventh time in program history, the Cardinal was led by nearly identical stat lines from Juliette Dhalluin and Jenna Flynn. Dhalluin led Stanford in assists (32) while ranking second in goals (49), points (81) and shots (79). A three-time All-American, Dhalluin produced 15 multi-goal games and nine hat tricks. Dhalluin matched her career high with six goals in a win over USC on April 12, being named MPSF All-Tournament MVP. A three-time All-MPSF honoree who earned second-team accolades in 2026, Dhalluin also was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Second Team. Flynn led the Cardinal in goals (54), points (82) and shots (105) while ranking second in assists (28). A three-time All-American, Flynn produced 15 multi-goal games and 12 hat tricks in 2026. Flynn is a three-time All-MPSF recipient who was named to the first team for the first time in her career. Flynn, whose 182 career goals ranks 11th in school history, was named to the MPSF All-Tournament Team and the NCAA All-Tournament Second Team.

Juliette Dhalluin matched a career high with six goals while Jenna Flynn added four as Stanford rallied past USC 16-14 on April 12 in the final of the MPSF Championship. Stanford claimed its ninth MPSF title and fourth in the past five seasons. Trailing 12-10 entering the final quarter, Stanford scored four consecutive goals while its defense smothered USC over the final eight minutes. The Cardinal reached the MPSF final following a 12-11 sudden-victory thriller over UCLA, in which Dhalluin's penalty shot accounted for the golden goal.

Stanford was well represented with five All-MPSF selections, highlighted by Jenna Flynn earning a spot on the conference’s first team. In addition to Flynn, Christine Carpenter and Juliette Dhalluin were named to the second team, Ella Woodhead was tabbed an honorable mention pick and Lucy Haaland-Ford qualified for the all-newcomer team.

Stanford scored at least 15 goals in 10 of its games, including a season-high output in a 23-11 win over Long Beach State back on Jan. 24. Elite depth was a key part of the team's success, with the Cardinal boasting at least 10 different goal scorers in six contests. Sienna Green, who ranked third on the team in goals (24) and multi-goal games (8) while contributing seven assists, achieved her second career All-America honor. First-time All-American Ella Woodhead, who led the team in earned exclusions (37) while totaling 18 goals and six assists, was the Cardinal’s only first-team selection to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.

The Cardinal features four players with significant international experience. Jenna Flynn (United States), Juliette Dhalluin (France) and Serena Browne (Canada) represented their country at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Prior to the 2026 campaign, the Cardinal added Sienna Green (Australia), a 2024 Olympic silver medalist and All-American transfer from UCLA who totaled 50 goals in two seasons.

Joining Stanford's already-decorated coaching staff in 2026 was associate head coach was Brenda Villa, one of only two four-time Olympic medalists (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012) who won 20 medals overall in her playing career representing Team USA. A three-time All-American and Hall of Famer who led the Cardinal to its first NCAA title in 2002, Villa became Stanford’s first Peter J. Cutino Award recipient and was later named the Female Water Polo Player of the Decade (2000-09) by FINA Aquatics World Magazine.

In 29 seasons, head coach John Tanner has compiled a 681-99 overall record while directing the Cardinal to 25 all-time NCAA appearances, 10 NCAA titles (2025, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2002) and nine national runner-ups. A nine-time ACWPC Coach of the Year and six-time MPSF Coach of the Year, Tanner has mentored eight Peter J. Cutino award winners combining for 11 honors and 66 ACWPC All-Americans earning 152 honors.