Sept. 27, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. -- Stanford begins Pac-12 play this weekend when it hosts No. 9 UCLA and San Diego State at Cagan Stadium. The Cardinal (3-4-0) plays UCLA (5-1-2) at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks. Sunday, Stanford faces San Diego State (4-2-1) at 2:30 p.m.

The Cardinal looks to jump to the top of the Pac-12 standing in the first weekend of conference play against two tough opponents. UCLA was picked as the favorite in the preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll, while San Diego State is also always a tough opponent.

Stanford is led by Adam Jahn who has scored four goals and contributed two assists. The senior has been the catalyst of the Stanford offense that has controlled possession and created plenty of chances. The key for Stanford as it begins conference play will be to convert more chances into goals. Aaron Kovar has two goals, but he is the only other play with more than one.

Defensively, Stanford has been solid, although a couple of recent goals on set pieces has been the difference in the end. Drew Hutchins has played every minute of the season in goal, while the backline of Jimmy Callinan, Hunter Gorskie, Brandon Vincent and Tyler Conklin has been steady, allowing just nine goals on the season.

UCLA comes into Friday's match riding a seven-game unbeaten streak. The Bruins tied No. 3 UC Santa Barbara and beat Cal Poly last weekend. Its only loss came in the opener to No. 4 New Mexico. On the season, UCLA has outscored its opponents, 11-7. Fernando Monge leads the team with three goals and seven points.

The Bruins lead the all-time series against Stanford with a 33-7-4 record, but Stanford has won four of the last five played at Cagan Stadium. UCLA won last year's contest at Cagan to end a four-game losing streak on the Stanford campus.

Sunday, Stanford welcomes San Diego State who is currently on a three-game winning streak and plays California on Friday. The Aztecs are led by Jordan Ongaro who six goals on the season. Kody Duff has added five goals as San Diego State has outscored its opponents 21-10 on the season.

San Diego State owns a 12-7-2 all-time advantage against Stanford, although the Cardinal had its most lopsided win of last season against the Aztecs, winning 4-1 at Cagan Stadium. Overall, Stanford has won two in a row against San Diego State at home.