CARY, N.C. – Stanford made history this weekend, securing its first-ever ACC Women’s Soccer Championship in a dramatic penalty shootout win over Notre Dame. The top-seeded Cardinal edged the Irish 5–4 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regulation and extra time.
Stanford struck first. In the 29th minute, Allie Montoya came off the bench and broke through down the sideline, finishing the opening goal of the match. Just after halftime, Jasmine Aikey lifted a strike from outside the box to push Stanford ahead 2–0.
Notre Dame refused to fold. The Irish answered with two goals in the second half: Izzy Engle in the 69th minute, then Charlie Codd in the 75th to level the match and force extra time. Neither side could find the winner through the added 20 minutes, sending the championship to penalties for the first time since 2016.
The shootout delivered the moment. Stanford goalkeeper Caroline Birkel came up with a crucial save, and after a back-and-forth exchange, Charlotte Kohler buried the game-winner to seal the title.
Aikey was named Tournament MVP after scoring in both of Stanford’s matches this week. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Kohler, Andrea Kitahata, and Elise Evans. Notre Dame placed Engle, Codd, Leah Klenke, and Annabelle Chukwu on the team, while Virginia’s Meredith McDermott and Victoria Safradin and Duke’s Kat Rader rounded out the selections.
Stanford earns the ACC’s automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
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