The 99 Girls team visited with 2009 NCAA Women’s Soccer Finalists, Stanford. Gryphons spent part of an afternoon watching a game, then getting some time with the team. They heard from coach Paul Ratcliffe and shared individual introductions with each player. They then shared backgrounds with the team, goals and aspirations, as well as favorite songs by which to psyche up for a game!

99G Red with NSCAA Womens' Soccer Finalists, Stanford

The Stanford's women's soccer season ended one victory short of perfect, as the top-ranked Cardinal conceded an early goal and was unable to rally in a 1-0 loss to North Carolina in a rainy NCAA final Sunday, despite a late shot by Christen Press (above) that appeared to tie the game.

Stanford's Paul Ratcliffe (top row, far right) was named as the CaptainU Division I Women's College Soccer Coach of the Year after guiding the Cardinal to its best-ever season and a berth in the NCAA final. Senior forward Kelley O'Hara (top row 6th from left) became the first Stanford player since Julie Foudy in 1992 to be named a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, college soccer's highest honor.

Senior forward Kelley O'Hara (top row 6th from left) was one of four Stanford players named All-Americans and the only one to be named to the first team. No other school matched the total of Stanford, which also placed Christen Press (top row far right), Ali Riley (bottom row 6th far right) and Mariah Nogueira (not pictured) on the NSCAA teams.