Boston College Battle to Open ACC Tournament – Stanford Cardinal

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025

NO. 2 STANFORD CARDINAL (12-2-2) vs. NO. 15 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (7-8-1)

Cagan Stadium | Stanford, Calif.

MATCH NOTES » Stanford and Boston College open the ACC Men’s Soccer Championship with their second assembly this season and the fourth match in a collection that dates again to 1985. The Cardinal earned a decisive 3-0 victory over the Eagles on September 28, with Palmer Bank, Alex Chow, and Trevor Islam scoring objectives within the shutout effort. Both applications enter Sunday’s contest on totally different postseason trajectories, as Stanford appears on monitor for its twelfth NCAA Tournament look in Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn’s 14 seasons, whereas Boston College might want to make a deep run within the convention match in an effort to make its return to the nationwide stage with only one NCAA match berth within the final eight seasons.

REGULAR SEASON REWIND » Going 12-2-2 within the common season, Stanford remained among the many nation’s elite in 2025, spending two separate stints because the No. 1 crew within the nation and reaching double-digit regular-season wins for the eighth time underneath Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. The Cardinal offense was powered by Trevor Islam (six objectives, 15 factors) and Zach Bohane (5 objectives, 13 factors), whereas the protection shined with six clear sheets on the 12 months. Finishing second within the ACC regular-season standings, the Cardinal was notably dominant at residence with a 9-0-1 document, going unbeaten at Cagan Stadium for the primary time since 2020 and recording its most residence victories in a daily season since 2017.

GREAT UNDER GUNN » One of 4 coaches to win NCAA titles in each Division I and Division II, head coach Jeremy Gunn has led Stanford to the College Cup last 4 occasions since 2015. He and Virginia’s Bruce Arena (1991-94) are the one coaches to win three consecutive NCAA males’s soccer championships. His groups are 170-54-54 (.712) in his 13 seasons on The Farm and he owns a profession document of 357-115-85 (.717) in 27 seasons, a mark which makes him the ninth-winningest lively coach on the Division I stage (by proportion). Gunn’s 357 victories rank twelfth amongst lively D-I head coaches by win complete.

HOME SWEET HOME » Cagan Stadium has confirmed to be one of many hardest locations to play within the nation for Cardinal opponents, as Stanford boasts a 326-128-75 (.684) document on The Farm courting again to the 1973 season, together with a 102-23-29 document (.748) underneath Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. Coach Gunn grew to become the primary Stanford coach in program historical past to hit the century mark at Cagan Stadium, whereas Sunday’s draw towards SMU secured an unbeaten common season at residence for the primary time because the 2020 marketing campaign.

COMEBACK CARDINAL » Stanford’s resilience has been a defining trait of the 2025 squad, because the Cardinal have recorded two wins and a draw this season through which they’re trailing within the eightieth minute. Two of these outcomes have come within the last 60 seconds of a match, with Tomo Allen netting a Ninetieth-minute recreation winner towards Oregon State and Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas headed residence an equalizer with 36 seconds left to salvage a 2-2 draw towards San Jose State. Perhaps Stanford’s most spectacular comeback got here towards Syracuse, the place Trevor Islam and Fletcher Bank scored objectives within the last ten minutes to beat a late deficit towards the Orange. The Cardinal is not any stranger to late-game heroics, as Duncan Jarvie and Dylan Hooper every scored game-winners past the eightieth minute final season.

THE POWER OF TWO » The Cardinal have been nearly unbeatable underneath Jeremy Gunn when scoring a number of objectives in a recreation, holding a document of 126-2-16 (.932) underneath Gunn in such matches. This season, the Cardinal are 10-0-1 in video games with a number of objectives, with the lone non-victory a 2-2 draw at San Jose State. Stanford’s final loss whereas scoring no less than twice got here on April 10, 2021, a 3-2 highway defeat at Oregon State.

SPREADING THE WEALTH » Stanford has had a balanced strategy on offense this season, with 11 totally different objective scorers and 14 complete Cardinal contributing to the scoresheet. Trevor Islam leads the Cardinal with six objectives, adopted by Zach Bohane with 5 objectives and Fletcher Bank and Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas with 4 scores every. Joshua Partal has been Stanford’s main distributor with six assists. Stanford completed final season with 20 gamers recording no less than one level, together with seven who scored a number of objectives and 14 with a number of factors. Bohane paced final 12 months’s group with 13 factors, adopted by Shane De Flores (11) and Jackson Kiil (10). 

GAME OF OPPORTUNITIES » A key a part of Stanford’s success in 2025 has been the power to take care of the sting on either side of the ball through the common season. On the attacking finish, the Cardinal has generated 18.44 pictures per recreation and 6.94 pictures on objective per recreation, each rating third within the ACC and within the top-15 nationally. Defensively, Stanford’s stout backline has recorded six shutouts and allowed simply 110 pictures this season, on tempo for the fewest assaults allowed because the 2020 crew allowed simply 71 pictures through the COVID-shortened marketing campaign.

TEAM STATISTICAL SUCCESS » Stanford has outpaced its opponents in each statistical class up to now this season, holding a bonus in objectives (32-13), pictures (295-110), pictures on objective (111-39), pictures per recreation (18.4-6.9), assists (25-10), and nook kicks (104-51). The Cardinal additionally held the statistical edge in every main offensive class all through 2024.

STORYBOOK SEASON » After becoming a member of this system as a walk-on final season, sophomore midfielder Trevor Islam has loved a breakout marketing campaign because the Cardinal’s main scorer by way of 15 video games. Islam’s newest spotlight got here in a one objective, one help efficiency on October 11 to carry Stanford to a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh. An ACC Co-Offensive Player of the Week earlier within the marketing campaign, Islam leads the crew with career-highs in objectives (6) and factors (15), together with new private bests in game-winning objectives (2), pictures (24), and pictures on objective (15).

TEAM PLAYER » Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas has embraced a brand new position this season, changing into a fixture of the Stanford backline after spending the primary three years of his profession as a striker. Starting every recreation at middle again up to now this season, Tenconi-Gradillas and the Cardinal protection have earned two clear sheets and restricted opposing offenses to only 7.3 pictures per recreation. The place shift has not restricted Tenconi-Gradillas’ offensive manufacturing, because the senior sits tied for third on the crew in objectives (4), recording a pair of braces towards Saint Mary’s and San Jose State.

HELPING HAND » Freshman Joshua Partal has rapidly established himself as a pivotal presence within the Cardinal midfield with a team-leading six assists up to now this season, making an impression on the Stanford offense each from set items and within the run of play. Named to the TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 23, Partal’s six helpers by way of 15 video games have already eclipsed Stanford’s help chief from final season, Will Reilly.

ALL EYES ON BOHANE » The at all times dependable senior captain Zach Bohane has continued to be a frontrunner within the Cardinal assault in 2025, recording 13 factors with 5 objectives and three assists on the 12 months, main the Cardinal in pictures (48), pictures on objective (19) and game-winning objectives (3). No stranger to the nationwide highlight, Bohane was additionally named to the MAC Hermann Midseason Watch List, which highlights the nation’s prime contenders for the very best honor in collegiate soccer.  A former First Team All-ACC honoree and a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America choice, Bohane has been Stanford’s most prolific scoring menace all through his profession with 19 objectives and 19 assists throughout his time on The Farm.

FRESH FACES » Stanford’s newcomer class as an entire has made a considerable impression on the Cardinal’s success, with 4 freshmen discovering the scoresheet this season. Jack Pymm leads the group with three objectives, whereas Tomo Allen (2) and Jude Stone (1) additionally added scores. Meanwhile, Joshua Partal paces all the crew with six assists. This marks the primary time since 2022 that three freshmen have scored in the identical season, when Fletcher Bank, Liam Doyle, and Zach Bohane all tallied objectives. Stanford’s loaded freshman class, which additionally consists of Brad Bennett, Dillon Logan, Victor Fung, Brayden Montague, and Aidan Reilly was lauded because the highest-ranked recruiting class within the ACC and the No. 2 class nationally by TopDrawerSoccer, Stanford’s highest-ranked recruiting class since 2019.

VETERAN CORE » Stanford’s veteran core coming into the postseason options who made 15+ begins for this system final season, together with main scorers Zach Bohane and Shane De Flores, in addition to third-year netminder Rowan Schnebly. Other key returners embody Fletcher Bank, Palmer Bank, Will Cleary, Dylan Groeneveld, and Dylan Hooper, whereas Alex Chow, Trevor Islam, Alfonso Tenconi-Gradillas have additionally every performed essential roles. The Cardinal veterans have mixed for 44 profession wins and three NCAA match appearances, advancing so far as the nationwide quarterfinals in 2023.

TOPDRAWERSOCCER MIDSEASON TOP 100 » Four Cardinal gamers earned nationwide recognition when TopDrawerSoccer launched its midseason lists earlier this month. Zach Bohane was Stanford’s lone consultant within the Midseason Top 100, climbing 5 spots from the preseason record to No. 12 within the participant rankings. Three Stanford freshmen had been included within the Midseason Freshmen Top 100, led by midfielder Jack Pymm at No. 4, adopted by Joshua Partal at No. 10 and Tomo Allen at No. 98.

CARD IN THE RANKINGS » Stanford is available in at No. 7 in United Soccer Coaches ballot and No. 11 within the TopDrawerSoccer rankings because the Cardinal prepares for the postseason. Friday’s loss to California halted the Cardinal’s three-week stretch because the No. 1 crew within the nation, Stanford’s second stint on the prime of the nationwide polls. As consideration turns to the postseason, the Cardinal additionally ranks No. 10 within the RPI rankings with a possibility to climb versus a deep ACC Tournament area.

CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE » Stanford is certainly one of simply two applications within the NCAA to win three consecutive nationwide championships (2015-17). Virginia gained 4 in a row from 1991-94. It can be certainly one of seven to win no less than three nationwide championships together with Saint Louis (10), Indiana (8), Virginia (7), San Francisco (4), UCLA (4) and Maryland (4). Stanford went 52-7-10 (.826) throughout its three-year championship run.

HOME OF CHAMPIONS » Stanford is the all-time chief with 137 NCAA crew championships (70 males, 67 ladies), and 173 nationwide championships general. The Cardinal owns essentially the most recognizable streak in school athletics, having gained no less than one NCAA crew title throughout every of the final 49 seasons, courting again to the 1976-77 marketing campaign. The Cardinal has additionally produced 565 NCAA particular person champions and 658 general. Stanford has gained the Learfield Directors’ Cup in 26 of the potential 31 seasons, together with a 25-year streak from 1995-2019.

POSTSEASON REGULARS » Entering the ACC Tournament because the convention’s No. 2 seed and the seventh-ranked program nationally, Stanford appears poised for its twelfth NCAA Tournament look within the final 13 seasons and this system’s twenty third postseason berth general. Reaching the third spherical of the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons, Stanford holds declare to probably the most dominant runs in current historical past, being the final program to win three consecutive NCAA Championships (2015-17). The Cardinal is seeking to return to the College Cup for the eighth time in program historical past, most just lately showing in 2019.

POISE ON THE PENALTY SPOT » Postseason play marks the return of penalty kicks for the rest of the season, an space through which the Cardinal have loads of expertise underneath Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer Jeremy Gunn. Coach Gunn has compiled a exceptional 10-2 document in postseason matches determined by penalty kicks since his arrival on The Farm, together with a 14-3 all-time document throughout every of his three head teaching stops (Stanford, Charlotte, Fort Lewis College). The Cardinal went 1-1 in penalty kicks final postseason, prevailing over UC Santa Barbara with a 6-5 win in penalties to advance to the NCAA third spherical, however falling sufferer to the opposite facet of penalty kicks in a scoreless draw at top-seeded Ohio State to finish the 2024 marketing campaign.

PLAYOFF ATMOSPHERE » Cagan Stadium has been the location of many successful postseason moments for Stanford all through this system’s storied historical past, because the Cardinal boasts a 20-3-8 (.774) document on residence turf throughout postseason play. The homefield benefit has been much more impactful underneath Jeremy Gunn, going 10-1-5 throughout his residence postseason appearances and advancing 16 occasions in these 18 alternatives.

CHASING THE CONFERENCE CROWN » Still within the early levels of this system’s ACC period, the Cardinal gears up for simply its second convention match because the 1997 season when Stanford was competing underneath the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) banner. Last season, Stanford break up matches within the convention match, knocking off 10-seed Notre Dame, 3-2, within the opening spherical, earlier than falling on the highway to No. 2 Clemson. Stanford gained seven convention titles within the Pac-12 (2001, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020), which was given to this system with the perfect convention document on the conclusion of the common season, and 17 titles throughout 5 totally different conferences in program historical past.

SOPHOMORE SEASON IN THE ACC » Stanford outperformed expectations after slotting in fifth within the 2025 ACC preseason ballot, compiling a 5-2-1 document to complete second within the common season convention desk. After first-time convention matchups towards Boston College, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech, the Cardinal has now performed every of its 14 leaguemates, compiling a 8-4-4 convention document by way of its first two seasons within the ACC.

CONFERENCE DOMINANCE » The ACC has confirmed to be the top of the game with eight ACC applications having gained an NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship, essentially the most of any convention. Virginia leads the league with seven nationwide titles, adopted by Clemson (4), Stanford (3), North Carolina (2), Duke (1), Notre Dame (1), Syracuse (1), and Wake Forest (1).  Six lively ACC head coaches have gained D-I nationwide championships together with Jeremy Gunn, Mike Noonan (Clemson), Carlos Somoano (North Carolina), Jay Vidovich (Pittsburgh), Ian McIntyre (Syracuse), and George Gelnovatch (Virginia). NC State’s Marc Hubbard gained a D-II nationwide title in 2013.

ACC IN THE RANKINGS » Three ACC applications are ranked within the prime ten in newest United Soccer Coaches ballot, essentially the most of any convention. Virginia leads the league because the fourth-ranked program within the nation, adopted by No. 5 NC State and No. 7 Stanford. Clemson and Duke additionally acquired votes on this week’s ballot. Tuesday’s RPI report featured ten ACC groups within the top-48, as Virginia (4), NC State (9), Stanford (10), Clemson (18), Duke (23), North Carolina (31), SMU (32), Notre Dame (41), Virginia Tech (42), and Wake Forest (44) all vie for NCAA match bids.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES » Boston College enters the postseason with a 7-8-1 document underneath sixth-year head coach Bob Thompson, needing a deep ACC match run to safe the primary NCAA Championship look of Thompson’s tenure. Mercy (D-II) switch Johannes Hanken Tjostheim led the scoring for the Eagles with eight objectives and 16 factors through the common season, with Ask Ekeland sitting second on the crew in factors (13) with 5 objectives and a team-leading three assists. Between the posts, Andrej Borak has posted 4 shutouts on the season, making 55 saves throughout 13 video games performed.

NOW AND LATER » No. 2 seed Stanford is ready to host the primary spherical of the ACC Men’s Soccer Championships towards No. 15 seed Boston College on Wednesday, November 5. The match will kick off at 6 p.m. PT, with Sara Ach and Jenna Beccera on the decision on ACC Network Extra. Should the Cardinal win on Wednesday, they’ll host the winner of SMU-Wake Forest on Sunday, November 9 with a begin time but to be decided. The ACC semifinals and championship recreation might be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary N.C. on November 13-16, earlier than Stanford’s NCAA Tournament destiny might be decided through the Selection Show on November 17.