The Florida State Seminoles are your 2023 National Champions. In a 5-1 blowout of a previously unbeaten Stanford team, Florida State completes an undefeated season and cements a position as one of the best teams in NCAA history. It was a complete domination as Jody Brown scored twice, Offensive MVP and Freshman phenom Jordynn Dudley notched a goal and an assist, same as Onyi Echegini and Beata Olsson scored the other to go along with two assists.

But while the final score may suggest otherwise, the match actually started relatively even, with the teams trading half-chances. The game-changing moment came in the 29th minute as Dudley won and converted a penalty kick. And as the crowd celebrated the goal, the Seminoles scored again just 26 seconds after, as Leilanni Nesbeth put in a crunching tackle to regain possession, leading to a breathtaking through ball from Taylor Huff to Echegini.

OH SWEET GOODNESS 2 GOALS IN 26 SECONDS‼️‼️‼️‼️

JODY BROWWWNNNN#OneTribe pic.twitter.com/AN1Ikx1929

— FSU Soccer (@FSUSoccer) December 4, 2023

Speaking about the impact of the two goals, in his post-game press conference, Stanford Head Coach Paul Ratcliffe revealed how the penalty changed the team’s tactical game plan from limiting transition opportunities to chasing the game.

“Unfortunately, the penalty kick opened it up, and from there, we said we would open up and play . . . At 2-1, it looked like a great idea, but unfortunately, it did not work out.”

That goal to bring the game within one came six minutes into the second half as Jasmine Aikey dribbled past two defenders and played a ball to Andrea Kitahata, who then laid off to Captain Maya Doms, who scored for a third straight game.

For a few minutes, it felt like momentum would change, then Dudley found a long ball over the top to the speedy Olsson, who raced past the Cardinal backline and slotted past the keeper. The Swedish forward would assist the final two goals as Brown and Echegini put the game well beyond reach.

RIGHT BACK AT YA

Beata answers just 6 minutes later, and the Noles are up 3-1🍢🍢🍢

📺ESPNU#OneTribe pic.twitter.com/ray9PQpj8T

— FSU Soccer (@FSUSoccer) December 5, 2023

It marked the first final since 2003 where a team scored five goals and the first time since 2000 that Stanford conceded five in any game. Florida State senior Nesbeth kept the result in context in her post-game conference.

“Everyone watching might be looking thinking we won a national championship game 5-1, must be easy. But that is the furthest thing from the truth. I don’t think the scoreline reflects how incredible of a program Stanford is. Nobody gets here by luck.”

Ratcliffe echoed those same thoughts.

“It was a tough end to a fantastic season. Full credit to Florida State, their mentality was strong, and they took their chances when they got them. But take nothing away from our team. I thought we had an amazing year, and I am really proud of all the players.”

UNDEFEATED!!! FLORIDA STATE ARE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!

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

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) December 5, 2023

For his part, Florida State head coach Brian Pensky passed the praise to his players and the job Mark Krikorian did before his retirement in April 2022.

“A normal coach feeling on game day is nerves, anxiety, and different things. I was not feeling any of those things, and it just comes down to talent and leadership, leaving me incredibly relaxed in a way I have never been as a coach. It is all credit to these players. They are a coach’s dream.”

Senior Beata Olsson, who won the 2021 national championship under Kirkorian, directed the credit back towards Pensky.

“It has to be the right coach. You can’t just leave a legacy like Mark [Krikorian] left to anyone. And what we built and how we got here is such a credit to Brian [Pensky]. He will not say it, but it is. As a player, I feel very confident that the program will continue to be great.”

Pensky also gave insight into his pride in Lauren Flynn winning the Defensive Player of the Tournament after struggling some in the year and a half since his takeover.

“She started to gain some confidence that she hadn’t had in the last year and a half, both as a player and as a human . . . She started to become the authentic Lauren Flynn again and started to lead our team. The way our team defending has gone in the last 15 games, and for her to receive this honor is special.”

And in speaking about the Offensive Player of the Tournament, Jordynn Dudley, both Pensky and Nesbeth were full of praise for the Freshman, with the Senior pointing to the traits that make the Georgia native a star.

“That girl is incredible, her work ethic, how she practices every day. That girl is an amazing kid who cares about her craft and the people around her. It has been amazing to watch her grow.”

Pensky added to those comments with a gem about the immense potential of his Freshman star. “She spent 50 percent of her years playing basketball, 50 percent playing soccer. This is the first time in her life she is fully committed to soccer, so when you talk about potential, it is pretty obvious.”

22-0-1, Florida State wins a fourth national championship, a third in six years, becomes the fourth team in the 21st century to accomplish an undefeated season, and the first since Stanford did so in 2011.