BREAKING: In a stunning turn of events, the No. 1 Stanford Cardinal were shut out 1-0 by the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles in the women’s College Cup final, held on Monday night in Kansas City. This loss marks Stanford’s second shutout of the season, coming at the worst possible time for a team that dominated throughout the tournament.
The Seminoles (16-2-4) clinched their third national title in five years with a dramatic goal from Wrianna Hudson, who scored with just 3 minutes remaining in the match. This victory solidifies Florida State’s legacy, as they now own five national titles, trailing only North Carolina’s 22 titles.
Stanford (21-2-2), known for its potent offense that led the nation with an average of four goals and 23 shots per game, outshot Florida State 18-8 and held a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. However, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, with Florida State’s goalkeeper Kate Ockene coming up big with crucial saves against point-blank headers by Eleanor Klinger and Jasmine Aikey.
Stanford’s offense, led by TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Jasmine Aikey, had been unstoppable, scoring 22 goals in five NCAA Tournament games prior to the final. Aikey, who had contributed to all 13 NCAA Tournament games in her career, scored the decisive goal in the semifinal against Duke. Yet, on this night, the team’s scoring touch vanished when it mattered most.
With the match scoreless at halftime, Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe stressed the need for sharper passing and composure. “Our final pass and our quality in the final third need to be a little sharper,” Ratcliffe noted during a halftime interview. Unfortunately, Stanford’s struggles in conceding late goals came back to haunt them, as Hudson’s goal arose from a chaotic scramble following a corner kick.
“It was a tough loss, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come this season,” said Ratcliffe.
Despite a last-ditch effort to equalize, including a controversial moment when Stephanie Kohler fell in the box with just 13 seconds left, the referee ruled no foul after a video review, sealing Stanford’s fate. This defeat ends the collegiate careers of standout seniors including Aikey and Elise Evans, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, who have made three consecutive College Cup appearances.
As Stanford reflects on this season, they remain at 3-4 in championship games, with their last title victory dating back to 2019. The Cardinal’s storied program will now look toward the future, hoping to build on their success and return to championship glory.
Stay tuned for more updates on Stanford and Florida State’s remarkable journey in women’s collegiate soccer.
