10-13-2025, 11:42 AM
Last year, Stanford was not in the top 6 in the ACC and did not qualify for the postseason conference tournament. The team seemed to benefit from the rest and played several strong games (including a terrific home shutout of Notre Dame) on its way to the College Cup. They were seeded 14th in the NCAA tournament and had to win 2 matches on the road at Fayetteville.
This year, Stanford would likely benefit again from a week of rest after the end of the regular season before NCAAs. But they may need a win or two in the ACC tournament to burnish their record for the NCAA committee. The ACC tournament schedule is brutal. A team seeded 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th would need to win 3 matches in 8 days to take the title. Of course the tournament semis and finals are played across the country in Cary, NC. The 1st round is played on campus sites at the home of the 3rd and 4th seeds.
But first things first - a very important (and very tough) match vs. Florida State in Tallahassee. Then favorable match ups (and potential pitfalls) at Miami, vs. SMU and at Cal to wrap up the regular season.
This year, Stanford would likely benefit again from a week of rest after the end of the regular season before NCAAs. But they may need a win or two in the ACC tournament to burnish their record for the NCAA committee. The ACC tournament schedule is brutal. A team seeded 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th would need to win 3 matches in 8 days to take the title. Of course the tournament semis and finals are played across the country in Cary, NC. The 1st round is played on campus sites at the home of the 3rd and 4th seeds.
But first things first - a very important (and very tough) match vs. Florida State in Tallahassee. Then favorable match ups (and potential pitfalls) at Miami, vs. SMU and at Cal to wrap up the regular season.
"We have an unwritten rule around here not to do anything stupid."
-Casey Jacobsen, Feb 3, 2000