11-14-2022, 03:55 PM
The last time Stanford was in the tournament (the 2020 season that some conferences played in the fall of 2020 and others in the spring of 2021, with the tournament held in late spring), North Carolina eliminated Stanford. So perhaps Stanford gets the opportunity to reverse the tables.
Washington could have their hands full in their first match, as they might meet Creighton, a team that really took it to Stanford in September (and likely would have won but for a stellar game by Stanford's goalie, Matt Frank). Also, Creighton just won the Big East Tournament, taking down perennial power Georgetown 3-0 in the final.
As has been discussed, because of the nature of soccer, the better team often does not advance, especially when the outcome is decided by penalty kicks. And the differences between teams across college soccer is razor thin. Stanford recently outplayed RPI #2 Washington, in my judgment, but RPI #80 Cal was the better team in the second half of the last game of the season.
Home field for the first game, and, if they win, second game, helps a lot.
Washington could have their hands full in their first match, as they might meet Creighton, a team that really took it to Stanford in September (and likely would have won but for a stellar game by Stanford's goalie, Matt Frank). Also, Creighton just won the Big East Tournament, taking down perennial power Georgetown 3-0 in the final.
As has been discussed, because of the nature of soccer, the better team often does not advance, especially when the outcome is decided by penalty kicks. And the differences between teams across college soccer is razor thin. Stanford recently outplayed RPI #2 Washington, in my judgment, but RPI #80 Cal was the better team in the second half of the last game of the season.
Home field for the first game, and, if they win, second game, helps a lot.