UP NEXT » Stanford is set to kick off its quest for a coveted fourth national title on Sunday afternoon, as the Cardinal welcome UC Santa Barbara for a high-stakes second round clash in the NCAA DI Men’s Soccer Championship, scheduled for 5 p.m. PT. The Gauchos come into this matchup with momentum from their recent 1-0 triumph over UCLA in the opening round on Thursday. Stanford boasts a formidable all-time record of 16-2-2 against UC Santa Barbara, a rivalry rooted in history since 1973. Their latest encounter took place in 2022, where the Cardinal emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win on the road.
POSTSEASON REGULARS » In Monday’s NCAA selection show, Stanford earned the No. 16 seed, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse with this marking being the Cardinal’s 11th NCAA Championship appearance in the last 12 seasons and the 22nd in the storied history of the program. The team has achieved the distinguished honor of reaching the third round in each of the last two tournaments. Notably, Stanford’s dazzling run from 2015 to 2017 saw them clinch three consecutive national championships, solidifying their dominance in recent NCAA tournament lore. Their most recent appearance in the College Cup occurred in 2019, marking the seventh time the program has reached this prestigious stage.
CARDINAL VS. THE FIELD » Overall, Stanford navigated a challenging season against NCAA tournament-caliber teams, holding a record of 3-3-3. They celebrated significant victories against No. 8 Clemson (3-2), No. 11 Virginia (1-0), and UC Davis (1-0). Furthermore, the Cardinal secured hard-fought draws against strong opponents including No. 10 Duke (2-2), No. 12 SMU (2-2), and NC State (0-0), while facing setbacks against No. 3 Denver (0-1), No. 8 Clemson (0-1), and North Carolina (1-2).
TOURNAMENT TESTED » Stanford enters the postseason with an impressive roster rich in tournament experience, featuring 15 players with prior NCAA tournament appearances. This experienced group includes standouts like Noah Adnan (5 appearances), Fletcher Bank (5), Will Cleary (5), and Shane De Flores (5). Among them, Zach Bohane, De Flores, and Liam Doyle are notable scorers, each contributing significantly with postseason goals. The experience within the squad bodes well for their chances in the tournament.
ALL-CONFERENCE NOD » This season, Stanford’s success was personified by midfielder Zach Bohane, who earned All-ACC First Team honors during the Cardinal’s inaugural campaign in the conference. With 14 starts out of 15 appearances, Bohane emerged as the team leader in goals (5) and total points (13), demonstrating his prowess on the field by also assisting in three goals, tying for third on the team. He stood out in the conference as well, ranking third in game-winning goals (3) and shots per game (2.80), delivering critical scores against formidable teams such as San Jose State, UC Riverside, and Virginia. Over his three seasons, Bohane has established himself as a key offensive force, second on the team with 42 career points (13 goals and 16 assists).
LAST TIME OUT » In a gripping quarterfinal match during the ACC tournament, Stanford’s run came to a halt following a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of the second-seeded Clemson Tigers in challenging rain-soaked conditions. “We had a couple of great chances, but we just weren’t quite capable of putting them away,” said Jeremy Gunn, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer. The match remained scoreless at halftime; however, Clemson broke through in the 61st minute, showcasing strong defensive skills to preserve their lead and complete the shutout victory.
TDS MIDSEASON TOP-100 » Top Drawer Soccer recently unveiled its Midseason Top 100 player rankings, with five standout Cardinal players gaining national recognition. Zach Bohane leads the Stanford contingent at an impressive No. 9, followed closely by Noah Adnan at No. 14, Rowan Schnebly at No. 30, Fletcher Bank at No. 39, and Dylan Hooper at No. 56, highlighting the depth of talent within the team.
ROOKIE RECOGNITION » In addition to established players, rookie Alex Chow has garnered national attention as well, landing at No. 18 in the Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Top 100 Freshman list. Chow has made a notable impact in his inaugural season, starting seven of 14 appearances and recording assists in pivotal victories against Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside.
SHARING THE SCORING » This season, multiple players have contributed to the Cardinal’s scoring prowess, with 20 different Stanford athletes registering points, surpassing last year’s total by three. Leading the way is Zach Bohane with 13 points, followed closely by Shane De Flores with 11 and Jackson Kiil with 10 points. Notably, 14 of these players have recorded multiple points, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive abilities.
TEAM STATISTICAL SUCCESS » Throughout the season, the Cardinal has consistently outperformed their opponents in offensive metrics. Stanford has clearly dominated in key statistics, outpacing opponents with 29 goals compared to 18 against, totaling an impressive 241 shots versus 157, averaging 13.4 shots per game compared to 8.7 for their rivals. They have also excelled in assists (31-13) and corner kicks (109-74), showcasing their offensive efficiency.
ACC IN THE TOURNAMENT » The ACC showcased its strength in college soccer with nine programs earning NCAA tournament bids this season, including seven among the top 16 seeded teams – the most of any conference. Pittsburgh leads the charge as the No. 2 overall seed, followed closely by No. 8 Wake Forest, No. 9 Clemson, No. 10 Duke, No. 11 Virginia, No. 12 SMU, No. 16 Stanford, along with NC State, and North Carolina.
ACCOMPLISHED ACC » Notably, eight active ACC programs have claimed at least one national championship, more than any other conference. The 15 ACC institutions have collectively amassed an impressive 20 NCAA titles, led by Virginia (7), Clemson (4), Stanford (3), North Carolina and Duke (2 each), as well as Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Wake Forest each with 1 title. This season marks the 11th consecutive year in which the ACC has produced the most tournament teams and the 23rd straight year with at least five league teams earning bids.
DOMINANT COACHING » The ACC boasts six active head coaches who have secured D-I national championships, including Mike Noonan (Clemson), Carlos Somoano (UNC), Jay Vidovich (Pitt), Jeremy Gunn (Stanford), Ian McIntyre (Syracuse), and George Gelnovatch (Virginia). Additionally, NC State’s Marc Hubbard achieved a national title in Division II in 2013, showcasing the coaching talent within the conference.
RETURNING PLAYERS » Stanford benefits from a strong core of returning talent, with nine of its eleven starters back for another season, including key figures such as Rowan Schnebly, Dylan Hooper, Noah Adnan, and Zach Bohane. The team will bid farewell to graduates Mark Fisher and Ryan Dunn, who leave behind a legacy at the program.
NEWCOMER CARDINAL » The Cardinal welcomes eight fresh faces to the team this year, comprising four promising freshmen, two seasoned graduate transfers, and two walk-ons. Joe Moyer, Eric Frintu, Alex Chow, and Jordan Victor highlight the new freshman lineup, while Louis Sterobo from Saint Mary’s and Nik White from Harvard join as graduate transfers. Additionally, the roster was bolstered by walk-on additions Trevor Islam and Lazslo Bollyky.
A DOMINANT RUN » Under the leadership of Coach Jeremy Gunn, Stanford has firmly established itself among the elite in college soccer, having won the most NCAA titles (3) since 2006. The Cardinal has captured six of the last eight Pac-12 championships, securing five consecutive titles from 2014 to 2018, evidencing their dominance within the conference.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE » Stanford stands out as one of only two programs to capture three consecutive NCAA titles from 2015 to 2017. The only team with a record of four straight is Virginia (1991-94). Furthermore, Stanford is among seven teams to have secured at least three national championships, alongside powerhouse programs such as Saint Louis (10), Indiana (8), Virginia (7), San Francisco (4), UCLA (4), and Maryland (4). Their remarkable combined record during the championship run stands at an impressive 52-7-10 (.826).
GREAT UNDER GUNN » Jeremy Gunn distinguishes himself as one of just four coaches to secure NCAA titles in both Division I and Division II. Over the past decade, he has led a team to the College Cup final four times, displaying remarkable consistency and strength in leadership. Notably, he and Virginia’s Bruce Arena (1991-94) share the distinction of winning three consecutive NCAA men’s soccer championships. His teams have achieved a strong record of 158-52-50 (.704) over 12 successful seasons on The Farm, with an overall career record of 344-113-81 (.715) spanning 23 years, ranking him as the sixth-winningest active Divison I coach by percentage and 12th in total wins among active coaches.
What strategies does Coach Jeremy Gunn implement to prepare his team for high-pressure matches like those in the NCAA tournament?
**Interview with Stanford Men’s Soccer Coach Jeremy Gunn**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Coach Gunn. The Cardinal are gearing up for a big match against UC Santa Barbara this Sunday. How do you feel heading into this matchup?
**Coach Gunn:** Thank you for having me! We’re excited about the challenge ahead. UC Santa Barbara is a strong team, and they’ve shown they can compete at a high level, especially coming off a victory against UCLA. Our team has a solid history with them, and we’re hoping to leverage that as we step onto the field.
**Editor:** Stanford has a remarkable record against UCSB. Does that history play a role in your team’s mentality going into the game?
**Coach Gunn:** Absolutely. While past performances don’t guarantee future outcomes, our players understand the importance of our rivalry and what it means to compete against them. We’ve trained hard, and I believe our experience will help us remain composed and focused.
**Editor:** Speaking of experience, it’s impressive that 15 of your players have past NCAA tournament appearances. How does that experience benefit your team during the postseason?
**Coach Gunn:** Experience in tournament play is invaluable. The pressure is different during the playoffs, and having players who’ve navigated that intensity before helps keep everyone grounded. They understand the stakes and can communicate that to our younger players.
**Editor:** You mentioned some key players returning, such as Zach Bohane and Noah Adnan. How critical are they to your game plan?
**Coach Gunn:** They are crucial. Zach has been a standout this season and his offensive capabilities are key to our strategy. Noah, on the other hand, is a fantastic playmaker. Having both of them back gives us a strong foundation on which to build our attack.
**Editor:** With eight newcomers joining the squad, how are they adapting to the team’s culture and style of play?
**Coach Gunn:** They’ve integrated well! It’s always a challenge for freshmen and transfers, but Joe Moyer and Alex Chow have made an impact already. We prioritize team cohesion, and I make it a point to ensure everyone feels welcomed. It’s great to see them taking ownership in practices and matches.
**Editor:** Your last match saw a narrow defeat to Clemson in the ACC tournament. How did that setback impact your preparations for the NCAA Championship?
**Coach Gunn:** That match was tough, but we learned a lot from it. We evaluated our performance and addressed the areas where we fell short. The focus now is on turning the lessons we’ve learned into actionable steps for improvement. The team has shown resilience in the past, and I’m confident they’ll carry that into this next game.
**Editor:** Lastly, you’ve had an impressive track record in the NCAA tournament. What are your hopes for this season?
**Coach Gunn:** Our hope is to compete for the national title, of course! We’ve set ourselves up to be in the hunt, but it requires consistent performance and determination to push through each game. We believe in our players and their talent. We are ready to give it our all!
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Gunn. Best of luck this Sunday and throughout the tournament!
**Coach Gunn:** Thank you! We appreciate the support. Go Cardinal!
