Conference race continues for Pac-12 men's soccer

•With its win last Friday over OREGON STATE, No. 4 STANFORD clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 title and eliminated three league teams from the hunt for the championship. The Cardinal has earned 20 league points, and needs at least one point in its last Conference match against CALIFORNIA to ensure its claim to back-to-back crowns.

•WASHINGTON remained in the hunt for a share of the Conference title after downing the Cardinal, 2-1 at home on senior night. The Huskies need to win their three remaining matches and need the Golden Bears to top Stanford in order to earn a share of the league title, their first since 2013.

•Four league teams are in action this week, with Oregon State and Washington taking on UCLA and San Diego State. Regular-season action concludes next week with each school taking on their travel partners.

• STANFORD continues to pace the league with its No. 4 NSCAA ranking, while UCLA climbed to No. 19 after topping then-No. 6 Akron. CALIFORNIA made its way back in the poll, now at No. 24.

• In the latest RPI rankings, Stanford comes in at No. 4, UCLA ranks 19th and California lands at No. 44.

• The 2015 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament 48-team field will be announced in a live selection show on Monday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

PAC12/PACAZ/PACBA/PACLA/PACMT/PACOR/PACWA - Indicates live broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.

CONFERENCE STANDINGS (Expanded standings)

Pac-12 Networks' Sports Report unveiled the Pac-12 All-Century Men's Soccer Team on Oct. 19:

Pac-12 Men’s Soccer Player of the Century

Brad Friedel (UCLA, 1990-92)

Pac-12 Men’s Soccer Coach of the Century

Sigi Schmid (UCLA, 1980-98)

STARTING XI (4-3-3 Formation)

FORWARDS: Ante Razov (UCLA, 1992-95), Billy Thompson (UCLA, 1986-90), Robbie Findley (Oregon State, 2003-06).

MIDFIELD: Joe-Max Moore (UCLA, 1990-92), Cobi Jones (UCLA, 1988-91), Chris Henderson (UCLA, 1989-90).

DEFENSE: Carlos Bocanegra (UCLA, 1997-99), Paul Caligiuri (UCLA, 1982-86), Ryan Nelsen (Stanford, 1999-00), Frankie Hejduk (UCLA, 1992-94).

GOALKEEPER: Brad Friedel (UCLA, 1990-92)

RESERVES

FORWARD (3): Danny Mwanga (Oregon State, 2008-09); Ted Rafalovich (Stanford, 1978-81); Calen Carr (California, 2002-05)

MIDFIELD (4): Leo Stolz (UCLA, 2012-14); Eddie Lewis (UCLA, 1992-95); Dale Ervine (UCLA, 1982-85); C.J. Klaas (Washington, 2001-04)

DEFENSE (3): Steve Birnbaum (California, 2010-13); A.J. Soares (California 2007-10); Chad Marshall (Stanford, 2002-03)

GOALKEEPER (2): Matt Reis (UCLA, 1994-97); Nick Rimando (UCLA, 1997-99)

• PLAYER OF THE WEEK: UCLA's Abu Danladi, a sophomore forward from Takoradi, Ghana, totaled three assists in a key 4-2 road victory over then-No. 6 Akron. 

• The Bruins know how to find the back of the net, as they average 2.44 goals per game as a team and rank third nationally in scoring offense. Three different Bruins (Jose Hernandez, Seyi Adekoya and Danladi) lead the league in points per game.

• The last line of defense has been especially instrumental for Washington and San Diego State this season. Washington's Ryan Herman ranks sixth nationally with a 0.58 goals against average and leads the league with 4.73 saves per game. At 71 saves to date this season, Herman leads the Pac-12 and can likely become the second-straight Husky to become the Conference leader in saves at the end of the season (Spencer Richey, 69, 2014).

• San Diego State's Adam Allmaras has also been an asset in helping his team keep games close. Allmaras ranks second in the Conference at 50 saves, after recording 10 saves in the 3-0 win over Wright State this past weekend, the 2014 Horizon League finalists.

• The fourth-ranked Stanford Cardinal claimed at least a share of the Conference crown after beating Oregon State last Friday, 2-0. The Cardinal was not able to claim an outright title on Monday, after dropping its first Conference match since Oct. 5 of last season, falling to Washington, 2-1 on the road. Stanford looks to the foot of Eric Verso, who is tied for the league lead with 10 assists to date. His mark ranks eighth nationally.

• California has been on a tear, collecting points in six of its nine Conference contests to date. The Golden Bears rank tied for sixth nationally with 36 total assists with the help of Christian Thierjung and Jose Carrera-Garcia. Thierjung ranks third in the league with 1.38 points per game, while Carrera-Garcia is tied at No. 4 with 1.25 points per game.

• The Beavers look to find Timmy Mueller and Jordan Jones, who each have six goals to date and lead the team. They are tied for fifth in goal production in the Pac-12 this season.

• COMPLETE CAMPAIGN: Pac-12 students are known for their success on the field, but they are also impressive, complete people with outside interests, diverse backgrounds, extracurricular activities, interesting families, busy schedules, and full lives. 

• The Pac-12 Network will broadcast 35 matches in 2015. UCLA alumnus and former MLS player Cobi Jones will continue to cover all the action on the Networks alongside analysts Christopher Sullivan and Kelly Gray. Rich Cellini and JB Long continue play-by-play duties, along with Miles, Jim Watson, Rich Burk and Troy Clardy.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

• Stanford's Brandon Vincent was named one of ten finalists for the 2015 Senior CLASS Award®. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2015 NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cup® championships in December.

• Jordan Morris of Stanford and Christian Thierjung of California were both named to College Soccer News' Team of the Week.

• After picking up three points on three assists in the 4-2 defeat over No. 6 Akron, Abu Danladi of UCLA was named to TopDrawerSoccer's Team of the Week.

• UCLA's Brad Friedel was named Pac-12 Men's Soccer Player of the Century, while the Bruins' Sigi Schmid was named Pac-12 Men's Soccer Coach of the Century.

• As a member of Guam's Men's National Team, redshirt junior Travis Nicklaw was in Qatar and Turkmenistan for a 2018 World Cup Qualifying match against Turkmenistan on Oct. 13.  The San Diego native has helped the team to a 2-2-1 in round two of World Cup Qualifying with three matches remaining.

PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK:
Sophomore forward Abu Danladi, UCLA 

ALSO NOMINATED:

Christian Thierjung, CAL; Adam Allmaras, SDSU; Jordan Morris, STAN

2015 PAC-12 MEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 

NATIONAL HONORS

MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List
Michael Amick, UCLA; Jordan Morris, Stanford; Brandon Vincent, Stanford

IN THE PRESEASON

Pac-12 Preseason Poll | NSCAA Preseason Poll | CSN Preseason Poll