UPDATE: In an unexpected twist, the No. 1 Stanford Cardinal women’s soccer team was shut out in the College Cup final, losing 1-0 to No. 3 Florida State Seminoles in a gripping match held on Monday night in Kansas City. This defeat marks Stanford’s second shutout of the season, a devastating outcome for a team known for its explosive offense.
The Seminoles clinched their third title in five years, scoring the decisive goal with just 3 minutes remaining. Wrianna Hudson capitalized on a deflected cross from Taylor Suarez, delivering a one-timer that sealed the victory for Florida State. The Seminoles are now the proud owners of five national titles, trailing only North Carolina’s 22 championships.
Despite dominating the match with 18 shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal, Stanford was unable to find the net, thwarted by Florida State’s stellar goalkeeper Kate Ockene. Ockene made critical saves against close-range efforts from Stanford’s Eleanor Klinger and Jasmine Aikey in the first half, keeping the Cardinal scoreless throughout.
Stanford, which had been riding a wave of success with 22 goals scored and only 5 conceded in the NCAA Tournament prior to the final, faced a tough challenge as they entered halftime without a goal for only the third time this season. Coach Paul Ratcliffe expressed his team’s need for sharper execution, stating, “Our final pass and our quality in the final third need to be a little sharper.”
Florida State’s defense, featuring only their second shutout of the season, proved formidable. The Cardinal struggled to convert their opportunities, reflecting a season-long issue of conceding goals in the final minutes.
The game’s turning point was Hudson’s goal, which came from a scramble after a corner kick. Stanford’s defense had held strong throughout the match, even blocking attempts from first-team All-American Jordynn Dudley. However, they could not prevent the crucial late score, marking a bitter end to their championship aspirations.
As the clock wound down, Stanford mounted a frantic push for an equalizer, culminating in a controversial moment when Stephanie Kohler fell in the FSU box with only 13 seconds left. After a video review, officials ruled no foul had occurred, effectively ending Stanford’s hopes for a comeback.
This loss concludes the collegiate careers of key players including Jasmine Aikey, who had previously contributed to every game in her NCAA Tournament tenure, and Elise Evans, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The Cardinal’s senior class, which had reached the College Cup finals three consecutive times, now finishes with a 3-4 record in championship games.
With this defeat, Stanford’s last championship title remains from 2019, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next season to see if they can reclaim their former glory and break their current championship drought.
