Stanford will start the 2016 season where it finished a year ago. The Cardinal collected 579 points to top the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Preseason Top 25, the organization announced Tuesday.Stanford, last season's national champion, took 20 of 24 first-place votes. Akron (567 points) and Clemson (548 points) are second and third and split the remaining first-place votes. Maryland (494 points) and Wake Forest (484 points) round out the top five.The Cardinal advanced past three of the country's preseason top five in its run to the 2015 NCAA title. Awinner in the 97th minute off a free kick frompushed Stanford to a 2-1 win at top-seeded Wake Forest in the quarterfinals. After a scoreless semifinal draw,saved the 10th Akron penalty kick to advance the Cardinal to the College Cup final in Kansas City, Kan. and in that championship, Stanford routed Clemson 4-0 to earn its first national crown in the more than 100 years of the program.The Cardinal hosts an exhibition against Sacramento State on Saturday, August 13 (7 p.m.) before beginning its regular season at Cagan Stadium against Penn State on Friday, August 26 (5 p.m.).Season tickets, mini plans and single-game seats are available by visiting gostanford.com/tickets or calling 800-STANFORD.

2016 NSCAA Preseason Top 25