Stanford, Cal set for NCAA soccer

Stanford is seeded ninth and Cal returns to the NCAA tournament as an at-large and hosts USF in the first round Thursday, the NCAA men’s soccer selection committee announced Monday.

The Cardinal is a twotime defending national champion and is making its fifth straight appearance in the postseason and 16th overall.

The 48-team field has 16 seeded teams, with Stanford being one of the 16 to receive a bye into the second round. The Cardinal (15-2-1) hosts the winner of the Pacific (12-4-1) and Cal State Fullerton (10-7-4) game at Cagan Stadium on Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Bears (11-6-0, 6-4-0 Pac-12) clinched their 12th playoff berth under Kevin Grimes. Cal finished as Pac-12 runners-up, behind Stanford, its best finish since winning the conference title in 2010.

Cal visited USF (9-8-0, 6-1-0 West Coast Conference) earlier this season and won 3-2.

Thursday’s Cal-USF game time has yet to be determined.

Football

LOVE IS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK » Stanford junior running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Love was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week.

Love aided the Cardinal to a 30-22 win over No. 9 Washington on Friday night with 166 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Love and Stanford host Cal on Saturday in the 120th Big Game, kicking off at 5 p.m. (Fox).