The third week of the women's college soccer season delivered a cascade of offensive fireworks and defensive resilience, setting the tone for what promises to be a competitive campaign.
Week 3 Highlights
Stanford continued its unbeaten start by routing Cal State Fullerton 7‑0 before adding a 3‑0 victory over UCLA, a performance that secured the Cardinal the Team of the Week honor.
At NC State, Jade Bordeleau was the catalyst, netting a hat‑trick and contributing five total points across two matches, including a decisive strike against Davidson that underscored her rising profile.
Meanwhile, Binghamton’s Sophia Garofalo anchored a backline that posted five clean sheets in the opening five games of 2026, a consistency that will be tested in upcoming road tests against Syracuse and Maryland.
Eastern Michigan’s goalkeeper Ella Holland faced a barrage of 22 shots in a 2‑0 win over Michigan State, making seven saves and preserving two shutouts that highlighted her growing confidence between the posts.
Freshman Nicole Crane of Penn State announced her arrival with a hat‑trick in under 30 minutes against Brown, a burst of productivity that has already placed her among the early leaders in the freshman scoring race.
Stanford’s early statistics are striking: 19 goals scored and five clean sheets in the first handful of games, including wins over ranked opponents, positioning the team for a pivotal ACC showdown with Duke on the horizon.
The blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent across the country suggests that the remainder of the season will be defined by how these emerging storylines evolve, with each program eyeing its own path toward postseason contention.