Florida State Dominates Stanford to Win Fourth National Championship

December 6, 2023
By Rohtas Wadera

The two teams of the decade, Florida State and Stanford, went toe-to-toe for the right to stake their claim as the best program from the 2010s to the present. Both had won three national titles since 2011 and both teams were undefeated and in the final for the first time in college soccer history. The scoreline isn’t fair on Stanford for how hard they played and how well they pushed Florida State. In the end, the Seminoles emerged as the best. Here’s a recap of the NCAA College Cup Final and how Florida State was too much for Stanford in the end.

Florida State vs. Stanford Recap

For the first 20 minutes, the match looked even, with a solid back-and-forth between both sides. Florida State held more possession early on, but Stanford worked their way into the game. All it took was one small mistake for Florida State to capitalize. LeiLanni Nesbeth did well to win the ball back and start the move. It led to Jordynn Dudley getting fouled in the box for a penalty. The freshman sensation showed the poise of a fifth-year senior with how she stepped up and buried this penalty.

WHO ELSE BUT JORDYNN DUDLEY?!!

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup x @FSUSoccer pic.twitter.com/t7MMYDXAnO

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 4, 2023

Florida State’s attack would break the game open, scoring less than a minute later through Jody Brown. The first touch and finish from Brown was perfect, once again highlighting how stacked the Seminoles’ attack is, as Brown just played in a World Cup for Jamaica.

The score was 2-0 at halftime, and it seemed as though Florida State wasn’t going to be challenged. However, Stanford refused to go away and ended up breaking Florida State’s clean sheet record for the tournament. Maya Doms stepped up again when it mattered most. This was a tough finish, with the ball bouncing and spinning.

THE CARDINAL ARE THE FIRST TEAM TO SCORE ON FLORIDA STATE IN THE 2023 WOMENS SOCCER TOURNAMENT!

📺 ESPNU #WCollegeCup x @StanfordWSoccer pic.twitter.com/0osaK19ani

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 5, 2023

For the next few minutes, Stanford was pressing the action and looking to equalize. Momentum had swung, and there was a chance the Cardinal could work their way back to 2-2. However, because Stanford had to push up the field, it left them open at the back. Florida State would capitalize on the counterattack. The quality of this goal is of such a high level.

THE 'NOLES ANSWER BACK. 📞👀

📺 ESPNU#WCollegeCup x @FSUSoccer pic.twitter.com/5HXdZMXWeV

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 5, 2023

The pass from Jordynn Dudley could not have set up Beata Olsson any better. A touch pass over the top that was dropped perfectly into the path of Olsson. Not only does Dudley score, but she can pass too. She’s going to be the next superstar of college soccer for the next two years. Olsson’s first touch to get away from the defender and the finish were top-class as well, solidifying just how great this Florida State team is.

A few minutes later, Jody Brown would put the game away with this near post finish after Ryan Campbell took a chance and dove the opposite way.

JODY BROWN. AGAIN!

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

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 5, 2023

Onyi Echegini would add the fifth goal late in the game as an exclamation point to secure the 5-1 win and the National Championship for Florida State. Stanford had an incredible season and deserves all the credit in the world for what they achieved.

Brian Pensky and his staff also deserve a ton of credit for putting out one of the most dominant teams in college soccer history. This team was already deep and talented, but the additions of Taylor Huff from Tennessee and Onyi Echegini from Mississippi State took this team to another level. Florida State’s fourth National Championship was won in style, and this team will be in the mix to win a few more with the talent they bring in year after year.