BREAKING: In a stunning conclusion to their season, the No. 1 Stanford women’s soccer team was shut out in the College Cup final, suffering a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Florida State on Monday night in Kansas City. This marks only the second time all season Stanford has failed to score, ending their impressive run with a record of 21-2-2.
The decisive moment came with just 3:01 remaining in the match when Wrianna Hudson found the net, capitalizing on a deflection from Stanford defender Elise Evans after a corner kick taken by Taylor Suarez. This victory secures Florida State’s third title in five years, further establishing their dominance with a total of five championships overall.
Despite dominating the match with 18 shots compared to Florida State’s 8, Stanford could not penetrate the Seminoles’ defense, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Kate Ockene, who made crucial saves against point-blank shots from Eleanor Klinger and Jasmine Aikey.
Stanford, renowned for its potent offense that averaged 4 goals and 23 shots per game, faced an uphill battle after entering halftime scoreless for just the third time this season. Coach Paul Ratcliffe noted, “Our final pass and our quality in the final third need to be a little sharper. But we’re getting opportunities.”
The Cardinal had previously outscored their opponents 22-5 in the tournament, showcasing a red-hot offense led by TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year Jasmine Aikey, who had a goal in every NCAA Tournament game of her career. However, there was no golden moment for Aikey, who finished with 21 goals this season, just one shy of the national lead.
The game was a heartbreaker for Stanford, which had a fierce chance to equalize when Stephanie Kohler fell in the box with 13 seconds left. After a video review, however, the referee ruled no foul had occurred, dashing hopes for a last-minute comeback.
Stanford’s loss in the final caps a remarkable journey for their senior class, which made three consecutive College Cup appearances and now ends its tenure with a 3-4 record in championship games. The last time Stanford claimed the title was in 2019.
As fans and players alike process this shocking defeat, the question looms: What does the future hold for Stanford women’s soccer? Aikey and fellow seniors have left a profound impact on the program, but their absence will certainly be felt in upcoming seasons.
Follow our coverage for more updates on this developing story and the implications for collegiate women’s soccer.
