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The Stanford field hockey team knows there's plenty of work ahead if they are going to assert themselves onto the national scene.

The 12th-ranked Cardinal also knows it's getting closer, even after dropping two straight for the first time this season following Sunday's 4-1 setback to Louisville in Maryland.

Stanford (13-4) returns to host the NorPac Championship, which begins Thursday. The top-seeded Cardinal meets an opponent to be determined at 1:30 p.m.

Field hockey is in its infancy along the west coast, with Stanford and California the most established programs. The Cardinal continues to schedule top ranked teams every year and the progress is tangible. Stanford has become competitive enough to dream large.

The Cardinal needs to win the conference tournament to gain a spot in the NCAA Play-In game. Stanford has reached the play-in game in each of the past two years, winning it two years ago to advance to the NCAA tournament.

This time around Stanford not only hopes to reach the NCAA tournament, but to be successful once there.

Last weekend's contests may be a preview of what's ahead. Stanford hopes lesson have been learned.

Louisville held a 23-16 edge in shot attempts, while Stanford owned a 10-9 advantage in penalty corners. Goalie Alessandra Moss matched her career high with 13 saves.

Jaimee Erickson scored Stanford's goal just before halftime, getting assists from Nora Soza and Becky Dru.

Dru led all players with six shot attempts, three on goal. Moss recorded at least 10 saves for the fifth time in her career.

— PA Weekly Online Sports