Four teams are hungry for a spot in the National Championship on Monday, but only two will taste the sweetness of the spotlight. Florida State, Duke, Stanford, and TCU take the pitch this Friday evening for the Women’s College Cup Semifinals at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. Here’s what to expect from the matchups that will determine who advances to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship final.
Three of the four semifinalists represent the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) – Stanford, Florida State, and Duke – while TCU looks to carry the flag for the Big 12.
#3 Florida State vs. #2 TCU
Florida State, seeking its fifth national title (2014, 2018, 2021, 2023), enters its 15th College Cup appearance and 26th NCAA Tournament appearance, second only to North Carolina – who fell to TCU in a penalty shootout (4-3) in the Round of 16. The Seminoles defeated Ohio State 4-1 in the Quarterfinals and remained unbeaten in their last eight matches heading into the semifinals.
Players to Watch: Wrianna Hudson and Jordynn Dudley
Hudson: 13 goals and 1 assist this season – FSU’s leading scorer.
Dudley: 11 goals and 14 assists – a crucial playmaker with a standout NCAA Tournament run.
TCU has shown up strong in the 2025 season, and the results speak for themselves. For the first time in school history, the Horned Frogs punched their ticket to the College Cup after a 2-1 win over Vanderbilt in the Quarterfinals. Besides that, they also boast five standout players: senior Seven Castain (MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist), Morgan Brown, Kamdyn Fuller, Cameron Patton, and Sydney Becerra, who all earned All-Midwest Team honors.
Players to Watch: Seven Castain and Kamdyn Fuller
Castain: One of the most decorated players in TCU women’s soccer history, tied for the single-season school record with 17 goals.
Fuller: Big 12 Freshman of the Year – consistent all season with 4 goals and 5 assists.
#1 Stanford vs. #2 Duke
Top-seeded Stanford, the 2025 ACC regular-season and tournament champion, is chasing its fourth national title. The Cardinal have scored 95 goals, averaging 4.13 goals per match, and are heading to their third consecutive College Cup, and the 13th in program history.
Players to Watch: Elise Evans and Andrea Kitahata
Evans: ACC Defensive Player of the Year; All-ACC First Team; ACC All-Tournament; MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, and United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection.
Kitahata: 17 goals and 10 assists; All-ACC First Team; USC All-Region Second Team; has scored in three straight matches.
Duke makes its sixth College Cup appearance and is still searching for its first national title. The Blue Devils hope to reach the championship match for the fourth time, after falling just short in 2024. They are coming off one of their strongest performances of the season in a 3–0 win over 13th-ranked Washington. One thing is certain: the match against Stanford will come down to the finest details.
Players to Watch: Kat Rader and Mia Minestrella
Rader: 12 goals and 12 assists – scored in the Quarterfinal win over Washington.
Minestrella: 18 goals and 6 assists; also scored against Washington, and has been on fire throughout the NCAA Tournament.
Together, they have combined for 8 of Duke’s 9 NCAA Tournament goals and five assists.
Schedule
Florida State vs. TCU
Friday, Dec. 5 – 6:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPNU
Stanford vs. Duke
Friday, Dec. 5 – 8:45 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPNU
