Harold Gutmann

The high-scoring Stanford Cardinal, which last won the title in 2019, return to college soccer’s Final Four for the third year in a row, face ACC rival Duke on Friday.

The Cardinal had their highest win total since 2020 and the program’s first year-over-year improvement since 2015.

Stanford finishes 4-8 in interim coach Frank Reich’s first and only season leading a college program.

Stanford is 4-1 at home but lost to the only currently ranked opponent it has hosted.

Cardinal’s redshirt freshman quarterback threw for 284 yards and led two late touchdown drives but Stanford still falls to 0-6 on the road this season.

Belichick finally led the Tar Heels to their first ACC victory in last week’s 27-10 win over Syracuse.

Brown takes over a quarterback for a Cardinal squad looking for its first road victory of the season Saturday against Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels.

The Cardinal has been perfect at home, but its stout defense faces a big challenge Saturday against the Panthers’ breakout freshman quarterback.

Cardinal quarterback throws three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown by streaking Pitt (7-2).

The Cardinal has already matched its win total (3) in each of the past four seasons with five regular-season games remaining.