BREAKING: In a stunning turn of events, No. 1 Stanford’s women’s soccer team was shut out in the College Cup final, suffering a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Florida State on November 27, 2023, in Kansas City. This marks only the second time all season that Stanford (21-2-2) failed to score, despite dominating the game in shots.
The Seminoles (16-2-4) clinched their third title in five years with a late goal from Wrianna Hudson, who found the net with just 3:01 remaining in the match. The victory adds to Florida State’s impressive record, bringing their championship total to five, now trailing only North Carolina’s 22 titles.
Stanford, renowned for its offensive prowess, led the nation with an average of four goals and 23 shots per game this season. However, they were unable to convert their opportunities against Florida State’s goalkeeper, Kate Ockene, who made critical saves, including denying point-blank headers from Eleanor Klinger and Jasmine Aikey.
The decisive moment came when a cross from Taylor Suarez was deflected by Stanford defender Elise Evans right to Hudson, who scored with a quick strike. This was especially disappointing for Stanford, who had outshot Florida State 18-8, including a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Despite the loss, Stanford’s season was remarkable, with a staggering record of outscoring their opponents 22-5 in five NCAA Tournament games prior to the final. The Cardinal had been on a 17-game winning streak and were led by TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year, Aikey, who had contributed to all 13 NCAA Tournament games in her career.
Stanford head coach Paul Ratcliffe expressed disappointment at halftime about his team’s inability to connect passes effectively. “Our final pass and our quality in the final third need to be a little sharper,” Ratcliffe stated during an interview. “But we’re getting opportunities.” Yet, the team struggled in the final minutes, a recurring issue throughout the season.
The Cardinal fought fiercely for an equalizer, with a desperate attempt from Stephanie Kohler in the last seconds leading to a review for a possible foul in the box. However, the review concluded without a penalty, sealing Stanford’s fate.
This heartbreaking defeat not only marks a missed opportunity for Stanford but also caps the careers of key players including Aikey, Evans, and others from the standout senior class. Stanford now holds a 3-4 record in championship games, with their last title secured in 2019.
As fans reflect on the game, the emotional impact of this loss reverberates throughout the Stanford community. The Cardinal will now look towards rebuilding for the next season, with lessons learned from this stinging defeat.
