[BostonCard]

In any case--if I'm reading the data correctly--UNC has a better ranking than Stanford in Offensive Efficiency, Draw Controls and Elo Rank (which has to do with player skill?). Stanford is ranked better in Defensive Efficiency and Save Percentage.

Having said that Stanford scored 9 and 8 goals in the previous two meetings, while UNC scored 18 and 12.

So my question for the experts: Besides somehow slowing down Chloe Humphrey, what will it take for Stanford to pull off a h.uge upset on Thursday?

No idea of whether it is somehow customized, but ELO is a pretty standard way of ranking that basically looks at head-to-head match-ups as they occur and updates the ranking based on how expected or surprising the result was. It was originally devised to rank chess players. Basically, ELO points will transfer from the losing team to the winning team, but the amount is based on how the result compares to the expected: if a weaker team pulls off an upset, they gain more ELO points than the favorite would have gained if they had won.

Here’s a description from Lacrosse reference:

https://lacrossereference.com/2017/04/25...-lacrosse/

BC

[BostonCard]

In any case--if I'm reading the data correctly--UNC has a better ranking than Stanford in Offensive Efficiency, Draw Controls and Elo Rank (which has to do with player skill?). Stanford is ranked better in Defensive Efficiency and Save Percentage.

Having said that Stanford scored 9 and 8 goals in the previous two meetings, while UNC scored 18 and 12.

So my question for the experts: Besides somehow slowing down Chloe Humphrey, what will it take for Stanford to pull off a h.uge upset on Thursday?

No idea of whether it is somehow customized, but ELO is a pretty standard way of ranking that basically looks at head-to-head match-ups as they occur and updates the ranking based on how expected or surprising the result was. It was originally devised to rank chess players. Basically, ELO points will transfer from the losing team to the winning team, but the amount is based on how the result compares to the expected: if a weaker team pulls off an upset, they gain more ELO points than the favorite would have gained if they had won.

Here’s a description from Lacrosse reference:

https://lacrossereference.com/2017/04/25...-lacrosse/

BC

[Papa John]

Thanks for the education, BC. I knew about the chess ranking and always figured ELO was some kind of position-by-position comparison for team sports. Looks like I was way off.

[Papa John]

Thanks for the education, BC. I knew about the chess ranking and always figured ELO was some kind of position-by-position comparison for team sports. Looks like I was way off.

[Bruce Wang]

I believe in the second game Stanford face guarded Chloe Humphrey. She still had 4 goals and 2 assists. Without the face guard she had 8 goals and 2 assists. I expect to see the face guard again, but UNC will be ready for it and they may just play 6 v 6, which could be an advantage for UNC if Stanford puts their best defender on Humphrey. 

The problem with face guarding Chloe Humphrey is that UNC fields 4 other players on offense that are all-americans.  Given the narrower goal differential in the 2nd game, it seems face guarding her is the least bad option.

The best strategy against Miss Humphrey is to get her to grad transfer to Stanford.

[Bruce Wang]

I believe in the second game Stanford face guarded Chloe Humphrey. She still had 4 goals and 2 assists. Without the face guard she had 8 goals and 2 assists. I expect to see the face guard again, but UNC will be ready for it and they may just play 6 v 6, which could be an advantage for UNC if Stanford puts their best defender on Humphrey. 

The problem with face guarding Chloe Humphrey is that UNC fields 4 other players on offense that are all-americans.  Given the narrower goal differential in the 2nd game, it seems face guarding her is the least bad option.

The best strategy against Miss Humphrey is to get her to grad transfer to Stanford.

[Papa John]

<snip>

The best strategy against Miss Humphrey is to get her to grad transfer to Stanford.

If Stanford and UNC were high schools in Florida, it would be possible for Chloe to transfer before Thursday!

[Papa John]

<snip>

The best strategy against Miss Humphrey is to get her to grad transfer to Stanford.

If Stanford and UNC were high schools in Florida, it would be possible for Chloe to transfer before Thursday!

[Bruce Wang]

Goalie Lucy Pearson named DI National Defensive Player of the Week

https://gostanford.com/news/2026/05/12/p...onal-honor

[Bruce Wang]

Goalie Lucy Pearson named DI National Defensive Player of the Week

https://gostanford.com/news/2026/05/12/p...onal-honor

[Bruce Wang]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYSLA1wjNw_/?igsh=Zzk4ZDlnY3BweDg3

In this Stanford Lacrosse Instagram reel about her capstone project, the team's leading scorer says she will be getting her Master's in ME next year.  She has one more year of eligibility left so hopefully she's playing another season.

[Bruce Wang]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYSLA1wjNw_/?igsh=Zzk4ZDlnY3BweDg3

In this Stanford Lacrosse Instagram reel about her capstone project, the team's leading scorer says she will be getting her Master's in ME next year.  She has one more year of eligibility left so hopefully she's playing another season.

[Vandelay]

North Carolina wins, 14-11

[Vandelay]

North Carolina wins, 14-11

[BobK]

A great run by the team and a closer game today than some expected

[BobK]

A great run by the team and a closer game today than some expected

[BostonCard]

18 - 9
12 - 8
14 - 11

Progress

BC

[BostonCard]

18 - 9
12 - 8
14 - 11

Progress

BC

[Jamesy]

18 - 9
12 - 8
14 - 11

Progress

BC

If only we could play them three more times this season.

[Jamesy]

18 - 9
12 - 8
14 - 11

Progress

BC

If only we could play them three more times this season.

[Bruce Wang]

They fought valiantly and were in it until the end.  UNC used their superior athleticism to play aggressive man to man defense.  Stanford turned the ball over too many timees so played from behind the entire game.   Stanford Goalie Lucy Pearson played a great game but could not get enough help from the offense.

I am proud of what they've accomplished this season and the future remains bright as they are bringing back some great players.  Lucy Pearson only played 2 games her frosh year so might still have eligibiliity.  This season put Stanford on the map in a big way so might be able to attract transfers.  Fortunately this sport is full of strong students at other schools so the transfer portal could work to Stanford's advantage.

[Bruce Wang]

They fought valiantly and were in it until the end.  UNC used their superior athleticism to play aggressive man to man defense.  Stanford turned the ball over too many timees so played from behind the entire game.   Stanford Goalie Lucy Pearson played a great game but could not get enough help from the offense.

I am proud of what they've accomplished this season and the future remains bright as they are bringing back some great players.  Lucy Pearson only played 2 games her frosh year so might still have eligibiliity.  This season put Stanford on the map in a big way so might be able to attract transfers.  Fortunately this sport is full of strong students at other schools so the transfer portal could work to Stanford's advantage.

[Hieronymus]

They fought valiantly and were in it until the end.  UNC used their superior athleticism to play aggressive man to man defense.  Stanford turned the ball over too many timees so played from behind the entire game.   Stanford Goalie Lucy Pearson played a great game but could not get enough help from the offense.

I am proud of what they've accomplished this season and the future remains bright as they are bringing back some great players.  Lucy Pearson only played 2 games her frosh year so might still have eligibiliity.  This season put Stanford on the map in a big way so might be able to attract transfers.  Fortunately this sport is full of strong students at other schools so the transfer portal could work to Stanford's advantage.

And a really rough start - it was 1:4 almost immediately. Hard to fully get back in it from that point.

[Hieronymus]

They fought valiantly and were in it until the end.  UNC used their superior athleticism to play aggressive man to man defense.  Stanford turned the ball over too many timees so played from behind the entire game.   Stanford Goalie Lucy Pearson played a great game but could not get enough help from the offense.

I am proud of what they've accomplished this season and the future remains bright as they are bringing back some great players.  Lucy Pearson only played 2 games her frosh year so might still have eligibiliity.  This season put Stanford on the map in a big way so might be able to attract transfers.  Fortunately this sport is full of strong students at other schools so the transfer portal could work to Stanford's advantage.

And a really rough start - it was 1:4 almost immediately. Hard to fully get back in it from that point.

[SearchingForTheTruth]

Stanford draw 14-13. Very good.

Stanford cards 5-3. 4 Green 1 Yellow. UNC 2 green 1 yellow. Not good.

Shots on goal. Stanford 14-22 UNC 23-29. Not good. UNC got more shots and better quality shots.

Free position. Stanford 2-4, UNC 1-3. Good.

Clears. Stanford 21-23 UNC 18-18. Not good.

Turnovers. Stanford 20, UNC 14. Not good at all.

Without Lucy Pearson's outstanding game, 9 saves and in one sequence she had 3 saves in the first quarter, the score would have been worse. The defense gave up lots of open looks when we were face guarding Humphrey, which is why I think we stopped after the first quarter. 

Chloe Humphrey was face guarded in the first quarter by different players (I noted Frist, Case, Bouvier) 1 assist and 0-3 shooting. Humphrey ended up with 3 goals and 1 assist on 7-7 shooting. Tied with Levy and Patillo for most points and tied with Patillo for most goals. No good plan to slow her down.

The worst game of the quarter finals. Stanford never led, all the other games both teams had leads in the games (Johns Hopkins led for 1 second at the end). The ACC top two teams should never have met in the quarter finals. Stanford losing to Villanova sunk them (I know I'm beating a dead horse, but if they win they would have faced Johns Hopkins (Big Ten), Stony Brook (CAA) or Navy (Patriot League) in the quarter final).

Regarding transfers, I only know of three transfers. Alexandra Crerend (Brown 2014-2016 A), Madison McPherson (Johns Hopkins 2024, D) and Mallory Hasselbeck (Boston College 2026 A). We need a defender to replace Bellisimo, a two-way midfielder to replace Frist and a draw specialist to replace Frist at a minimum. I don't see that many transfers coming in. I think this was the year to try to make a deep run and the coach screwed it up not preparing the team to attack a match-up defense, even though they played three teams in a row that played that defense.

Hoping for the best next year, but I think it will be a rebuilding season. Just my opinion.

Stanford was out drawn in both games (8-20 and 7-13). Stanford needs to be even or ahead.

Fouls. In the last game Stanford had 3 green and 5 yellow cards. Need to not give UNC a player advantage.

Shots on goal. Stanford shot poorly in the second game (12-27). Need more quality chances.

Free position shots. In the first game Stanford gave up 11 and got 4. The second game it was 1-4. UNC was 8-11 and 3-4. Can't give up easy scoring opportunities.

Clears. The last game Stanford failed to clear twice. That can give UNC fast break opportunities. Need to have 100% clears.

I believe in the second game Stanford face guarded Chloe Humphrey. She still had 4 goals and 2 assists. Without the face guard she had 8 goals and 2 assists. I expect to see the face guard again, but UNC will be ready for it and they may just play 6 v 6, which could be an advantage for UNC if Stanford puts their best defender on Humphrey. 

Thanks for that info, SFTT. So jet lag should not be an excuse for the quarterfinals. 

According to lacrossereference.com, here is what they call "The Tale of the Tape:"

                                 Stanford                                 North Carolina
Offensive Efficiency         9th                                          1st
Defensive Efficiency         4th                                          9th
Draw Controls                29th                                         6th
Save Percentage            19th                                         24th
LaxElo Rank                    5th                                          1st

In any case--if I'm reading the data correctly--UNC has a better ranking than Stanford in Offensive Efficiency, Draw Controls and Elo Rank (which has to do with player skill?). Stanford is ranked better in Defensive Efficiency and Save Percentage.

Having said that Stanford scored 9 and 8 goals in the previous two meetings, while UNC scored 18 and 12.

So my question for the experts: Besides somehow slowing down Chloe Humphrey, what will it take for Stanford to pull off a h.uge upset on Thursday?

[SearchingForTheTruth]

Stanford draw 14-13. Very good.

Stanford cards 5-3. 4 Green 1 Yellow. UNC 2 green 1 yellow. Not good.

Shots on goal. Stanford 14-22 UNC 23-29. Not good. UNC got more shots and better quality shots.

Free position. Stanford 2-4, UNC 1-3. Good.

Clears. Stanford 21-23 UNC 18-18. Not good.

Turnovers. Stanford 20, UNC 14. Not good at all.

Without Lucy Pearson's outstanding game, 9 saves and in one sequence she had 3 saves in the first quarter, the score would have been worse. The defense gave up lots of open looks when we were face guarding Humphrey, which is why I think we stopped after the first quarter. 

Chloe Humphrey was face guarded in the first quarter by different players (I noted Frist, Case, Bouvier) 1 assist and 0-3 shooting. Humphrey ended up with 3 goals and 1 assist on 7-7 shooting. Tied with Levy and Patillo for most points and tied with Patillo for most goals. No good plan to slow her down.

The worst game of the quarter finals. Stanford never led, all the other games both teams had leads in the games (Johns Hopkins led for 1 second at the end). The ACC top two teams should never have met in the quarter finals. Stanford losing to Villanova sunk them (I know I'm beating a dead horse, but if they win they would have faced Johns Hopkins (Big Ten), Stony Brook (CAA) or Navy (Patriot League) in the quarter final).

Regarding transfers, I only know of three transfers. Alexandra Crerend (Brown 2014-2016 A), Madison McPherson (Johns Hopkins 2024, D) and Mallory Hasselbeck (Boston College 2026 A). We need a defender to replace Bellisimo, a two-way midfielder to replace Frist and a draw specialist to replace Frist at a minimum. I don't see that many transfers coming in. I think this was the year to try to make a deep run and the coach screwed it up not preparing the team to attack a match-up defense, even though they played three teams in a row that played that defense.

Hoping for the best next year, but I think it will be a rebuilding season. Just my opinion.

Stanford was out drawn in both games (8-20 and 7-13). Stanford needs to be even or ahead.

Fouls. In the last game Stanford had 3 green and 5 yellow cards. Need to not give UNC a player advantage.

Shots on goal. Stanford shot poorly in the second game (12-27). Need more quality chances.

Free position shots. In the first game Stanford gave up 11 and got 4. The second game it was 1-4. UNC was 8-11 and 3-4. Can't give up easy scoring opportunities.

Clears. The last game Stanford failed to clear twice. That can give UNC fast break opportunities. Need to have 100% clears.

I believe in the second game Stanford face guarded Chloe Humphrey. She still had 4 goals and 2 assists. Without the face guard she had 8 goals and 2 assists. I expect to see the face guard again, but UNC will be ready for it and they may just play 6 v 6, which could be an advantage for UNC if Stanford puts their best defender on Humphrey. 

Thanks for that info, SFTT. So jet lag should not be an excuse for the quarterfinals. 

According to lacrossereference.com, here is what they call "The Tale of the Tape:"

                                 Stanford                                 North Carolina
Offensive Efficiency         9th                                          1st
Defensive Efficiency         4th                                          9th
Draw Controls                29th                                         6th
Save Percentage            19th                                         24th
LaxElo Rank                    5th                                          1st

In any case--if I'm reading the data correctly--UNC has a better ranking than Stanford in Offensive Efficiency, Draw Controls and Elo Rank (which has to do with player skill?). Stanford is ranked better in Defensive Efficiency and Save Percentage.

Having said that Stanford scored 9 and 8 goals in the previous two meetings, while UNC scored 18 and 12.

So my question for the experts: Besides somehow slowing down Chloe Humphrey, what will it take for Stanford to pull off a h.uge upset on Thursday?

[SearchingForTheTruth]

Peep Williams in the transfer portal. 

https://laxextras.com/2026/05/13/transfe...cker-2026/

[SearchingForTheTruth]

Peep Williams in the transfer portal. 

https://laxextras.com/2026/05/13/transfe...cker-2026/

[SearchingForTheTruth]

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

[SearchingForTheTruth]

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

[Jamesy]

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

Why? Our program seems ahead of usc and she doesn't seem to have ties to LA.

[Jamesy]

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

Why? Our program seems ahead of usc and she doesn't seem to have ties to LA.

[Vandelay]

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

Why? Our program seems ahead of usc and she doesn't seem to have ties to LA.

USC has shown a willingness to pay top dollar to poach good coaches from other programs.

[Vandelay]

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

Why? Our program seems ahead of usc and she doesn't seem to have ties to LA.

USC has shown a willingness to pay top dollar to poach good coaches from other programs.

[SearchingForTheTruth]

Stanford cut her staff this season. She had to replace one assistant coach with the Director of Operations. 

USC was the first West Coast team to host an NCAA tournament game and mode it to the quarterfinals in 2016 and 2017. They have brand new facilities and are committed to financial support for women’s lacrosse. 

USC has a full share of Big Ten conference payout. We have a partial share of ACC money and our payouts are much smaller. 

It is much easier to recruit at USC. Southern California is more affordable, at least she can buy a house somewhere. She currently lives in a university townhouse. Travel is a lot easier in the Big Ten. 

Her offense and defense seem to be a better fit for the Big Ten. Hard to see her teams winning an ACC championship, not enough athleticism. She prefers a much more physical game that would be better suited for the Big Ten. 

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

Why? Our program seems ahead of usc and she doesn't seem to have ties to LA.

[SearchingForTheTruth]

Stanford cut her staff this season. She had to replace one assistant coach with the Director of Operations. 

USC was the first West Coast team to host an NCAA tournament game and mode it to the quarterfinals in 2016 and 2017. They have brand new facilities and are committed to financial support for women’s lacrosse. 

USC has a full share of Big Ten conference payout. We have a partial share of ACC money and our payouts are much smaller. 

It is much easier to recruit at USC. Southern California is more affordable, at least she can buy a house somewhere. She currently lives in a university townhouse. Travel is a lot easier in the Big Ten. 

Her offense and defense seem to be a better fit for the Big Ten. Hard to see her teams winning an ACC championship, not enough athleticism. She prefers a much more physical game that would be better suited for the Big Ten. 

USC just parted ways with their head coach Lindsey Munday. I expect our head coach will try to apply for the job.

Why? Our program seems ahead of usc and she doesn't seem to have ties to LA.

[Papa John]

SFTT, what do you think is more likely: (1) Danielle Spencer seeks out the University of Satan's Children job or (2) U Satan's Children seeks out Danielle Spencer?

And my final question: Do you think Stanford would let DS walk without making a competitive counteroffer?

[Papa John]

SFTT, what do you think is more likely: (1) Danielle Spencer seeks out the University of Satan's Children job or (2) U Satan's Children seeks out Danielle Spencer?

And my final question: Do you think Stanford would let DS walk without making a competitive counteroffer?

[SearchingForTheTruth]

I think they will seek each other out. I think USC parted ways with Munday with a coach already in mind. I believe that our coach is looking for a more lucrative position and a different conference. USC offers both of these. Losing an assistant is a big loss with only three assistants and I believe USC will fund the assistant coaches and Director of Operations. Also in lacrosse it is difficult to get coaches to relocate to the west coast. Since she is already here it is less of an issue. Our coach is hot right now finishing second in the ACC and getting to the quarterfinals. 

I’m not sure how competitive of an offer we can make if USC really wants her. I think they have deeper lacrosse pockets. 

SFTT, what do you think is more likely: (1) Danielle Spencer seeks out the University of Satan's Children job or (2) U Satan's Children seeks out Danielle Spencer?

And my final question: Do you think Stanford would let DS walk without making a competitive counteroffer?

[SearchingForTheTruth]

I think they will seek each other out. I think USC parted ways with Munday with a coach already in mind. I believe that our coach is looking for a more lucrative position and a different conference. USC offers both of these. Losing an assistant is a big loss with only three assistants and I believe USC will fund the assistant coaches and Director of Operations. Also in lacrosse it is difficult to get coaches to relocate to the west coast. Since she is already here it is less of an issue. Our coach is hot right now finishing second in the ACC and getting to the quarterfinals. 

I’m not sure how competitive of an offer we can make if USC really wants her. I think they have deeper lacrosse pockets. 

SFTT, what do you think is more likely: (1) Danielle Spencer seeks out the University of Satan's Children job or (2) U Satan's Children seeks out Danielle Spencer?

And my final question: Do you think Stanford would let DS walk without making a competitive counteroffer?