Kansas City, Missouri — The 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship semifinals delivered a defensive masterclass Friday night at CPKC Stadium, as #1 Stanford and #3 Florida State each secured 1-0 victories to set up a championship showdown. In front of 7,066 fans, both semifinal matches showcased elite defending, clinical finishing, and the razor-thin margins that define championship soccer.
The two 1-0 results tell the story of a tournament reaching its crescendo—where one moment of brilliance or one defensive lapse determines who plays for a national title. Stanford struck early against #2 Duke, while Florida State needed late-game heroics to overcome #2 TCU, but both winners demonstrated the defensive resolve and tactical discipline required to reach Monday's final.
Stanford's Early Strike Silences Duke
The Cardinal wasted little time asserting themselves against the Blue Devils, with Jasmine Aikey finding the back of the net in just the ninth minute. That single goal proved enough as Stanford's defense turned in a suffocating performance, limiting Duke to just two shots on target while recording eight of their own.
Duke created opportunities throughout the match, earning six corner kicks and forcing Stanford into defensive mode for extended stretches. Elle Piper and Jocelyn Travers both had shots blocked in the first half, while Carina Lageyre and Avery Oder fired attempts wide after the break. The Blue Devils' attack, which had been potent in previous tournament rounds, couldn't solve a Cardinal defense anchored by Eleanor Klinger and Brooke Holden.
Stanford's best chance to extend the lead came in the 73rd minute when Charlotte Kohler hit the woodwork, a near-miss that could have sealed the result earlier. Instead, the Cardinal were forced to withstand Duke's desperate late pressure, with their goalkeeper making two crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. Y-Lan Nguyen's yellow card for unsporting conduct in the 74th minute reflected Duke's mounting frustration as time ran out on their championship hopes.
The victory extended Stanford's winning streak to five matches, including dominant performances against #5 BYU and #2 Michigan State earlier in the tournament. Their ability to protect a one-goal lead against a quality opponent for 80-plus minutes demonstrated the mental toughness that separates contenders from champions.
Florida State's Late Magic Breaks TCU Hearts
The nightcap featured an even tighter defensive struggle, with both teams locked in a scoreless battle until Wrianna Hudson delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd minute. The Seminoles' goal, assisted by Peyton McGovern and Sophia Nguyen, capped a performance that saw Florida State dominate statistically without reward for more than 70 minutes.
The shot count told the story: Florida State recorded 15 attempts to TCU's seven, with eight on goal compared to the Horned Frogs' two. Yet TCU's goalkeeper made seven saves to keep her team in contention, while the Seminoles grew increasingly frustrated by their inability to convert possession and chances into goals.
TCU made bold halftime adjustments, replacing four starters in an attempt to shift momentum. The moves initially worked, as Emma Yolinsky came agonizingly close in the 54th minute when her shot struck the woodwork. That near-miss proved to be the Horned Frogs' best chance, as Florida State's relentless attacking pressure eventually overwhelmed TCU's defensive resolve.
Jordynn Dudley, Taylor Suarez, and Yuna McCormack all tested TCU's goalkeeper with dangerous efforts, but it was Hudson who finally broke through. Her goal demonstrated the clinical finishing required at this level—one moment of precision after 73 minutes of territorial dominance. From there, Florida State managed the game expertly, absorbing TCU's desperate late pressure while maintaining the defensive discipline that has defined their tournament run.
The Seminoles' five-match winning streak includes victories over #2 Georgetown and Ohio State, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure against elite competition. TCU, despite the loss, proved their quarterfinal upset of #1 Vanderbilt was no fluke, battling the Seminoles evenly for long stretches before succumbing to Hudson's late strike.
Championship Clash Awaits
Monday's final at 7 p.m. promises a fascinating tactical battle between Stanford's early-striking efficiency and Florida State's late-game persistence. Both teams have demonstrated championship mettle by winning five consecutive matches, and both have shown they can win tight, low-scoring affairs where defensive organization matters as much as attacking flair.
Stanford enters as the top seed and slight favorite, having dispatched two #2 seeds (Michigan State and Duke) on their path to the final. Their ability to score early and defend leads makes them dangerous, particularly if Aikey or Kohler can replicate their semifinal sharpness in front of goal.
Florida State, meanwhile, brings the confidence of a team that knows how to grind out results when goals are scarce. Their statistical dominance against TCU—15 shots, eight on goal, six corners—suggests they create enough chances to trouble any opponent. If they can maintain that attacking intensity while keeping Stanford's offense quiet, the Seminoles will have a legitimate shot at claiming their fourth national championship.
The defensive nature of both semifinals suggests Monday's final could be another tight affair decided by a single moment of brilliance. With both goalkeepers having performed admirably in the semis—Stanford's stopper made two saves while Florida State's made two as well—the title match may come down to which team can capitalize on their limited opportunities.
After two nights of defensive excellence and clinical finishing, the 2025 Women's College Cup final promises to deliver one more dramatic chapter in what has been a tournament defined by tight margins and championship resolve. Stanford and Florida State have earned their place on college soccer's biggest stage—now they'll have 90 minutes to determine who claims the ultimate prize.