Aug. 21, 2012
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PAC-12 NETWORKS OFFER UNPRECEDENTED EXPOSURE
Four of Stanford's 18 regular-season games will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks, which launched last Wednesday. Highlighting the appearances is Sunday's matchup against two-time defending NCAA champion Maryland, representing Stanford's first televised field hockey game from the Varsity Turf. Stanford makes its second network appearance on Sept. 7, welcoming Iowa to The Farm. In addition, both regular-season meetings against rival California will be televised (Sept. 28 at Berkeley, Oct. 23 vs. Stanford). Additionally, the network's field hockey preview show is slated to air Thursday, Aug. 23, at 5:30 p.m.
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CARDINAL RANKED IN NFHCA PRESEASON POLL
Stanford has remained a fixture in the national rankings for all but one week during head coach Tara Danielson's tenure. So, a No. 11 preseason ranking in the Penn Monto/NFHCA coaches' poll isn't much of a surprise.
This marks the third straight year Stanford has earned a preseason national ranking, as the Cardinal was pegged at No. 20 in each of the last two years. Stanford will have an opportunity to climb in the poll right away, squaring off against No. 1 Maryland in the second game of the year. Last year, Stanford reached its highest-ever ranking in school history at No. 6.
The poll's top-10 includes: No. 1 Maryland, No. 2 North Carolina, No. 3 Old Dominion, No. 4 Princeton, No. 5 Duke, No. 6 Connecticut, No. 7 Syracuse, No. 8 Virginia, No. 9 Penn State and No. 10 Michigan.
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LOOKING AHEAD AT THE SCHEDULE
This year's 18-game regular-season schedule features five contests against NCAA Tournament squads from a year ago and a visit to The Farm from two-time defending NCAA champion Maryland. A total of six teams ranked in the top-20 of the final 2011 Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches poll appear on Stanford's schedule.
| Aug. 24 vs. La Salle |
The Aug. 24 date represents Stanford's earliest start to a season in school history. |
| Aug. 26 vs. Maryland |
Two-time defending NCAA champion has won five of last seven national titles overall. |
| Aug. 29 vs. Northwestern |
Wildcats visit Varsity Turf for first time in five years, kicking off West Coast road swing. |
| Aug. 31 at Michigan State |
Stanford looks for second straight road win in series, shutting out Spartans 3-0 last year. |
| Sept. 1 vs. Miami (OH) |
RedHawks boast only two seniors and 12 of the 25 players on roster are new to program. |
| Sept. 3 vs. Central Michigan |
Neutral site game against Chippewas will be Stanford's sixth game during 11-day stretch. |
| Sept. 7 vs. Iowa |
Hawkeyes advanced to NCAA Tournament last year, making 21st postseason appearance. |
| Sept. 9 vs. Drexel |
Picked second in CAA preseason poll, Drexel was 10-9 and seventh in league in 2011. |
| Sept. 22 vs. Radford |
Rare regular season game versus NorPac East Division foe. This one in Chapel Hill, N.C.. |
| Sept. 23 vs. North Carolina |
Six-time NCAA champion Tar Heels have reached Final Four in three straight years (16 total). |
| Sept. 28 at California |
The NorPac's elite programs and fierce rivals clash in the first of three potential meetings. |
| Oct. 5 vs. UC Davis |
Aggie roster features 11 seniors, as field hockey was restored in 2009 after 27-year hiatus. |
| Oct. 7 at Pacific |
Stanford has won 11 in a row in the series since Pacific's last victory back on Sept. 30, 2006. |
| Oct. 12 vs. Syracuse |
Last year's BIG EAST Tournament champion, Syracuse advanced to NCAA quarterfinals. |
| Oct. 14 at Connecticut |
Huskies were 19-3 in 2011, reaching NCAA semifinals for third time in last six years. |
| Oct. 19 vs. Pacific |
Stanford has outscored Pacific 25-1 over the last four meetings at the Varsity Turf. |
| Oct. 20 at UC Davis |
Quick turnaround here with 6 p.m. start, as Cardinal hosts Pacific just 26 hours earlier. |
| Oct. 23 vs. California |
Six players honored during Senior Night pregame ceremony in rare Tuesday night game. |
| Nov. 1-3 NorPac Championship |
Farmville, Va., serves as the destination for this year's event, hosted by Longwood. |
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SIX STORYLINES TO KEEP IN MIND
2011 Season Snapshot In 100 Words
Completing one of the most impressive seasons in school history in 2011, Stanford (17-4, 6-0 NorPac) tied a school record for victories, reached its highest-ever national ranking at No. 6 and sported a top-10 RPI for the entire season. Boasting six top-20 victories, the Cardinal earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. In fact, Stanford's combined win total (32) over the previous two years ranks as the best back-to-back stretch in school history.
The NorPac's Premier Program
Stanford solidified its status as the NorPac's top program, sweeping California last year in the regular season to claim its fourth conference crown over the last five years. Stanford has won nine of the last 13 meetings versus Cal. Not bad, considering the Golden Bears entered the 2007 NorPac Tournament title game having won 18 straight in the series dating back to 2001. The last six NorPac Championship title games have resulted in a Stanford-California matchup, with the Cardinal taking four of those contests.
Dru Poised For Stellar Senior Season
In addition to establishing herself as one of the most decorated players in school history, Becky Dru has also emerged as one of the nation's top performers. A 2011 Longstreth/NFHCA First Team All-American, Dru became the 14th player in school history to earn the national honor. A two-time NorPac Defensive Player of the Year, Dru posted team-leading totals last year in goals (16), points (39), shots (91) and shots on goal (50) while becoming Stanford's first leading goal scorer in back-to-back seasons since Jess Zutz (2006-07). Dru's 16 goals represented a career-high total and her 39 points were the most for a Cardinal player since Sara Hallock's 52 in 1993. In 64 career games, Dru has totaled 42 goals, 24 assists, 108 points, 246 shot attempts and 12 game-winning goals.
Who Is Coming Back?
Becky Dru headlines Stanford's group of 14 returnees, but there is no shortage of talent on this year's roster. Hope Burke is coming off a breakthrough season, ranking second in points (28), goals (8) and assists (12) with 36 shots. Alex McCawley earned Longstreth/NFHCA All-West Region Second Team status as a rookie, ranking second in shots (54) while tallying eight goals and five assists for 21 points. Upperclassmen Katie Mitchell (4 goals, 9 points, 21 shots), Courtney Haldeman (6 goals, 5 assists, 25 shots) and Emily Henriksson (7 goals, 23 shots) provide depth. It's also expected that sophomores Kelsey Harbin, Shannon Herold and Hannah Thiemann will make strides from promising rookie campaigns.
Who Will Be Missed?
Stanford must find a way to replace the trio of Stephanie Byrne, Devon Holman and Ale Moss. Each of those players started all 21 games last year and contributed valuable leadership, as well. A two-time All-NorPac honoree and Longstreth/NFHCA All-West Region First Team pick in 2011, Byrne's assist total last year (16) was the most for a Cardinal player since 2009. She also established a reputation as a clutch player during her career with eight game-winning goals. Holman's totals of goals (7), assists (3), points (17) and shots (19) represented career bests. For the first time since 2007, Stanford will have someone other than Ale Moss in the cage. A four-time All-NorPac pick, Moss produced 17 shutouts and 387 saves during
her career while playing an opportunistic style.
Who Can Make A Difference?
Seven newcomers highlight this season's roster and there is opportunity for immediate impact. Dulcie Davies, Stanford's lone goalkeeper, takes over in the cage and boasts an impressive resume. Maddie Secco carries a wealth of international experience and plays extremely physical. Jessica Chisholm's versatility will be a tremendous asset, as she can play multiple positions. Lauren Becker is tenacious and should provide offense as a natural goal scorer.
- Brian Risso, Athletic Communications/Media Relations
