Stanford University’s women’s soccer team has been projected to finish fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the upcoming season, according to a preseason poll conducted among conference coaches. The poll results come after Stanford reached its second consecutive NCAA College Cup in 2024.
In addition to the team projection, redshirt senior Andrea Kitahata was selected for the Preseason All-ACC team. Kitahata led Stanford last year with nine goals, six assists, three game-winning goals, and a total of 24 points. She also became the first Cardinal player since Catarina Macario in 2019 to score in five consecutive matches.
Defending national champion North Carolina was named the preseason favorite, receiving ten first-place votes and totaling 246 points. Notre Dame received two first-place votes and finished just ahead of Florida State—who defeated Stanford in last season’s College Cup final—for second place in the poll. Florida State secured four first-place votes and third place overall. Duke ranked fourth with 208 points, followed by Stanford at fifth with 201 points. Virginia rounded out the group of teams receiving first-place votes.
Stanford is currently ranked No. 7 nationally by United Soccer Coaches as it prepares for its season opener against San Francisco on Thursday, August 14 at home.
“Stanford was picked to finish fifth by the conference coaches,” said Tyler Geivett.
