Stanford clinches 2021 Pac-12 Women's Lacrosse regular-season title

SAN FRANCISCO — With a 16-15 win over USC on Sunday afternoon, Stanford clinched the 2021 Pac-12 Women’s Lacrosse regular-season championship, marking the Cardinal’s first-ever Conference regular-season title.

With the regular-season crown secured, Stanford will be the No. 1 seed for the 2021 Pac-12 Women’s Lacrosse Tournament to be hosted by the Cardinal at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium from May 5-8.

In total, it marks the Stanford women’s lacrosse program’s 15th all-time regular-season title, but is its first since the Pac-12 began sponsoring the sport in 2018. The Cardinal claimed the first-ever Pac-12 Tournament crown in 2018 and will be seeking its 18th all-time league tourney title when it plays host early next month.

Stanford’s triumph kept it perfect in Conference play (6-0) and on the season (8-0). The Cardinal’s undefeated run has been spearheaded by senior attacker Ali Baiocco, who entered Sunday’s competition third in points (49), tied for fifth in goals (30) in the Pac-12 and tied for third in assists (19), despite playing the fewest games of any team due to postponements. Stanford also features a pair of goalkeepers in senior Trudie Grattan and sophomore Kara Rahaim, who rank No. 1 (9.37) and No. 4 (11.36) respectively in goals-against in the Conference. 

The 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship bracket featuring a 29-team field will be announced on Sunday, May 9, with the Pac-12 Tournament winner earning the Conference’s automatic bid.