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Football Insider

The Thrilling Upset: Florida State Stuns No. 1 Stanford to Claim Women’s College Cup

In a nail-biting finish, Florida State emerged victorious against Stanford, ending their unbeaten streak with a dramatic 87th-minute winner. Let's delve into the exciting details of how the Seminoles secured their fifth national championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.

The Thrilling Upset: Florida State Stuns No. 1 Stanford to Claim Women’s College Cup

Florida State ended Stanford’s 17-match unbeaten run on Monday, winning its fifth national championship with an 87th-minute winner at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. The No. 3 seed defeated the top-seeded Cardinal in the College Cup final for the second time in three years, adding a third national title in five seasons.Stanford entered the final with a nation-best 96 goals, but a lights-out performance from Florida State freshman goalkeeper Kate Ockene - who finished with a career-high nine saves - kept the Cardinal at bay. The Seminoles defended nearly flawlessly, surviving 18 shots, nine on target, before Wrianna Hudson seized on a late defensive lapse in the 87th minute.Hudson, the team’s leading scorer with 15 goals, delivered the winner with a finish from the top of the six-yard box. With four minutes remaining, Stanford pushed hard for an equalizer, but Florida State managed the closing moments with composure, keeping the game under control until the final whistle.Florida State beat Stanford 5-1 to win the 2023 NCAA National Championship, though Stanford still leads the all-time series 4-3-0. That meeting marked FSU’s fourth title and second in three years, with four different Seminoles finding the net.Entering Monday, Florida State owned four national titles while Stanford had won three. Both returned to the final with different storylines. The Seminoles, ranked No. 3, reached the championship match for the seventh time in the last 11 years. Senior forward Jordynn Dudley, a MAC Hermann Award finalist, arrived with 11 goals and was a constant threat, firing four shots even if she didn’t score the winner.Stanford entered as the favorite, averaging a nation-best 4.0 goals per game. The attack was led by Jasmine Aikey, who finished the season with 21 goals.Freshman goalkeeper Kate Ockene had the performance of her life as she was tested throughout the entire match and stepped up on each occasion to keep a high-octane Stanford attack at bay. Stanford’s back line finally broke in the 87th minute. A corner kick set the sequence in motion, and the Cardinal failed to fully clear the initial delivery, which dropped at the penalty spot. The loose ball eventually fell to Janet Okeke, who played Taylor Suarez down the right. Suarez drove a low cross back into the six-yard area, where Wrianna Hudson arrived unmarked to finish.The group had conceded just one goal in its last three matches prior to Monday's loss.

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Florida State's Heroic Victory

Florida State pulled off an incredible upset by defeating the top-seeded Stanford team in the Women's College Cup final. With a flawless defensive performance and exceptional goalkeeping by freshman Kate Ockene, the Seminoles managed to thwart Stanford's attacking prowess, which had seen them score a nation-best 96 goals leading up to the final.

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A Star Is Born: Kate Ockene's Standout Performance

Kate Ockene, the young goalkeeper for Florida State, delivered a career-defining performance with nine crucial saves that kept Stanford at bay. Despite facing relentless pressure from the Cardinal's potent offense, Ockene showcased her talent and composure to guide her team to victory in the championship match.

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Wrianna Hudson's Heroics Seal the Win

Wrianna Hudson, the leading scorer for Florida State, etched her name in history by scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute. Seizing an opportunity from a defensive lapse, Hudson's clinical finish from close range secured the national title for the Seminoles in a thrilling fashion.

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Stanford's Determined Effort and Florida State's Resilience

Despite Stanford's relentless push for an equalizer in the dying minutes of the game, Florida State demonstrated remarkable resilience and composure to withstand the pressure and secure the victory. The Seminoles' collective effort and unwavering spirit were instrumental in clinching their fifth national championship.

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Looking Ahead

With this historic win, Florida State adds another chapter to its illustrious soccer legacy, while Stanford will regroup and aim to bounce back stronger in the upcoming seasons. The thrilling clash between these two powerhouse teams will be remembered as one of the most dramatic finals in the history of the Women's College Cup.

Published on Dec 9, 2025