URGENT UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the No. 1 Stanford Cardinal fell 1-0 to No. 3 Florida State in the women’s College Cup final Monday night in Kansas City. This loss marks Stanford’s second shutout of the season, occurring at a critical moment when their prolific offense was expected to shine.
The decisive goal came just three minutes before the final whistle, allowing the Seminoles (16-2-4) to clinch their third title in five years. Florida State’s Wrianna Hudson scored the game-winner after a deflection from Stanford defender Elise Evans, sealing the victory and leaving Stanford (21-2-2) searching for answers.
Despite dominating the match with 18 shots to Florida State’s 8, including a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal, Stanford could not penetrate the formidable defense led by goalie Kate Ockene. Ockene made critical saves, denying point-blank headers from Stanford’s Eleanor Klinger and Jasmine Aikey.
This championship game highlighted a painful reality for Stanford, which had outscored opponents 22-5 in five NCAA Tournament games and boasted a remarkable 17-game winning streak. The Cardinal’s powerful offense averaged over four goals per match, making this loss all the more shocking.
Stanford had previously beaten Florida State in the regular season, but the Seminoles had not lost since that October 16 match. Florida State’s defense has been a formidable force, recording their 13th shutout of the season in this final.
In a halftime interview, Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe emphasized the need for sharper execution. “Our final pass and our quality in the final third need to be a little sharper,” he said, reflecting the frustration of a team that generated opportunities but could not convert them into goals.
The tension built as Stanford made a desperate attempt for an equalizer in the closing moments. With just 13 seconds left, Stephanie Kohler fell in the Florida State box, but after a video review, the referee determined there was no foul, extinguishing Stanford’s hopes for a comeback.
This game marked the end of an era for standout players like Jasmine Aikey, the TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year, who had contributed significantly to the team’s success throughout the tournament. Aikey finished her career with 21 goals, narrowly missing the national lead.
With this defeat, Stanford now holds a 3-4 record in championship games, with their last title coming in 2019. The emotional toll of the loss resonates deeply within a program that had high expectations of lifting the trophy once again.
As the dust settles on this heartbreaking defeat, fans and players alike are left to ponder what could have been and how Stanford will regroup for the next season. The Cardinal’s journey continues, but the sting of this loss will linger long after the final whistle.
