The Stanford Cardinal women's lacrosse team is an NCAA Division I college lacrosse team representing Stanford University as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They play their home games at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium in Stanford, California. The Cardinal are led by head coach Danielle Spencer.
Head coach
The Cardinal are currently led by head coach Danielle Spencer, the head coach of Stanford women's lacrosse since the 2020 season. A four-year standout at Northwestern from 2006-10, Spencer was a member of three national championship teams (2007-09) and one national runner-up (2010) during her outstanding playing career.
Spencer finished her four seasons with the Wildcats having played in 83 games, making 65 starts. Her career totals ranked among the best in Northwestern's storied history as she departed with 193 goals (7th), 238 points (8th) and 203 draw controls (3rd). The 110 draw controls as a senior were the third-most by a collegiate player in NCAA history at the time. Under Spencer's guidance, Stanford swept the Pac-12 regular-season and tournament titles in three of the last four seasons (2021-22, 2024) while making three NCAA Tournament appearances. In five seasons on The Farm, Spencer has compiled a 49-25 overall record.
Spencer has produced six All-Americans during her tenure on The Farm: Ali Baiocco (2021 IWLCA Second Team), Ashley Humphrey (2022 IWLCA Third Team), Annabel Frist (2024 USA Lacrosse Third Team), Aliya Polisky (2024 USA Lacrosse Honorable Mention), Madison McPherson (2024 ILWomen Honorable Mention) and Lucy Pearson (2024 ILWomen Honorable Mention).
Since Spencer's arrival, multiple players have earned the following major conference awards: Pac-12 Attacker of the Year (2), Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (1), Pac-12 Draw Specialist of the Year (2), Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year (3) and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year (2).
A three-time conference coach of the year recipient, Spencer owns a 78-44 career overall record in eight seasons as a head coach, which includes a three-year stint at Dartmouth (29-19 overall).
History The program began play in 1995 under head coach Kay Cowperthwait.
Stanford has made NCAA tournament appearances in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
In 2013, 2016, 2025, and 2026, the Cardinal reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.
In 2026, Stanford reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
Individual career records
Reference: RecordAmountPlayerYears Goals 229 Ali Baiocco 2018-22 Assists 130 Ashley Humphrey 2022-23 Points 318 Ali Baiocco 2018-22 Ground balls 173 Laura Shane 2005-08 Draw controls 393 Annabel Frist 2022-26 Caused turnovers 104 Katie Grube 2001-04 Saves 831 Laura Shane 2005–08 GAA 7.25 Kate Horowitz 2003–2006
Individual single-season records Reference:
RecordAmountPlayerYear Goals 65 Aliya Polisky 2025 Assists 88 Ashley Humphrey 2022 Points 124 Ashley Humphrey 2022 Ground balls 69 Hedy Born 1998 Draw controls 138 Annabel Frist 2023 Caused turnovers 38 Rylee Bouvier 2026 Saves 292 Stephanie Tuerk 1998 Save %* .565 Rachael Neumann 2001 GAA* 7.38 Christina Saikus 2002 *Minimum 250 minutes
Seasons
Postseason Results
The Cardinal have appeared in 14 NCAA tournaments. Their postseason record is 5-14. Year SeedRoundOpponentScore 2006 -- First Round #4 Northwestern L, 9-17 2010 -- First Round #5 James Madison L, 8-9 2011 -- First Round #4 Florida L, 11-13 2013 -- First RoundSecond Round Notre Dame#2 Northwestern W, 8-7L, 8-15 2014 -- First Round Duke L, 8-13 2015 -- First Round Florida L, 10-15 2016 -- First RoundSecond Round James Madison#5 Southern Cal W, 9-8L, 8-14 2018 -- First Round Virginia L, 3-12 2019 -- First Round Notre Dame L, 9-15 2021 -- First Round Denver L, 13-15 2022 -- First Round Jacksonville L, 8-20 2024 -- First Round Denver L, 12-13 2025 -- First RoundSecond Round Denver#4 Florida W, 10-4L, 12-13 2026 -- First RoundSecond RoundQuarterfinal Penn State#7 Michigan#2 North Carolina W, 7-5W, 13-12L, 11-14
References
External links