Florida State vs. Stanford: NCAA College Cup Final Preview

The two best NCAA women’s college soccer programs of the last 12 years meet again to add to their history. Florida State has titles in 2014, 2018, and 2021. Stanford has titles in 2011, 2017, and 2019. Both have three titles in those 12 years, with the winner sure to stake a claim as the de facto best program in women’s college soccer. Here’s a recap of the Final Four and a preview of the NCAA College Cup Final, the National Title game.

Florida State Defeats Clemson for Third Time

The familiarity that Clemson has against Florida State from ACC play helped them contain the Seminoles early. Florida State possessed the ball early, but Clemson came into the game and pressed the Seminoles. The Tigers created a few half chances, but Florida State was more clinical in front of goal.

FLORIDA STATE SCORES FIRST!!!

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup x @FSUSoccer pic.twitter.com/SdF27jBPtJ

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 1, 2023

Kaitlyn Zipay’s technique was perfect on the half-volley and gave Florida State a 1-0 lead going into halftime. For the rest of the game, Clemson was more dominant in possession and really went for it but could not break down a tough Florida State defense and beat Cristina Roque. Jordyn Dudley, who has taken college soccer by storm, would essentially put the game away with a pro-level finish.

JORDYNN DUDLEY STAND UP‼️‼️

The All-American scores her 13th goal of the season, and the Noles are up 2-0🍢🍢#OneTribe pic.twitter.com/ZUXmNTVT8s

— FSU Soccer (@FSUSoccer) December 2, 2023

In the end, Clemson fought as hard as they could and are a great team in their own right as a No. 1 seed, but it simply wasn’t enough to beat the mighty Seminoles, who still haven’t conceded a goal in the tournament.

Stanford Ends BYU’s Dream Season to Continue Their Own

BYU’s bad habit of starting slow came back to bite them once again. They were able to pull off an incredible comeback against North Carolina, but it wasn’t going to happen against Stanford, who have one of the best defenses in the country. Stanford didn’t take long to get started and jumped all over the Cougars with two incredible goals. The first was a stunner by Allie Montoya. This looked more like a shot than a cross to me.

STANFORD OFF THE BAT MY GOODNESS

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup x @StanfordWSoccer pic.twitter.com/folVtscpS5

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 2, 2023

Then, just a few minutes later, Maya Doms does what great players do when everything is on the line; they produce moments of magic. This strike might’ve been better than Montoya’s.

THE TREE IS GROWING IN CARY!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup x @StanfordWSoccer pic.twitter.com/Itdoxu7572

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 2, 2023

Not only was the strike brilliant, but the build-up play was as well. Within the game’s first five minutes, Stanford was up 2-0, and BYU never quite recovered. BYU probed Stanford’s box, trying to create anything, but their defense is just as elite as Florida State’s.

Stanford was able to hang on 2-0 and advance to the final, setting up two undefeated teams who are both fighting to be the more dominant program. It doesn’t get better than this.

No. 1 Florida State (21-0-1) vs. No. 2 Stanford (20-0-4): Monday, December 4 at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT, ESPNU

Florida State and Stanford is a game that you won’t want to miss. As I mentioned in our preview of the Final Four, this is a game where you’ll see multiple players from both teams get drafted into the NWSL. If you want to stay on top of the talent coming into the league, this is must-see TV.

Can Stanford beat this Florida State team loaded from top to bottom? Yes, it’s doable. Their defense and goalkeeping have to be as strong as during this tournament.

The only team that you can compare anywhere close to Florida State in terms of talent level that Stanford has played is UCLA. That game was on October 29 and ended 1-1. Stanford has been able to draw multiple top teams this year but hasn’t gotten that winning goal. Can Maya Doms or Jasmine Aikey stir up some magic, or will an unsung hero emerge and help Stanford take that final step this season?

My heart says Stanford pulls off this upset because of the history and the emotions it would bring to Katie Meyer’s memory. My head says, how can Florida State lose when they haven’t conceded a goal this tournament? The only match they didn’t win was a 3-3 tie against North Carolina, who were No. 1 at the time. Florida State was at No. 6 in the preseason poll and steadily climbed to the top.

Stanford has gone on a great run, and it would be amazing to see them pull this off tomorrow, but Florida State has been too dominant this season to say they’re going to lose this game. Stanford has to come out and attack the Seminoles early because Florida State hasn’t been challenged yet.

Brian Pensky was brought in to do a job, and that’s to win the National Championship. It’ll be an epic showdown between two giants in women’s soccer, and I’m taking the Seminoles to win it all.

Prediction: Florida State Wins 2-1

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