The NCAA College Cup is here, and it’s the most magical time of year for college soccer fans. The top four teams in NCAA women’s soccer will battle it out for the championship, a culmination of a season filled with dedication, talent, and the unique challenges of balancing athletics with academics.

The action begins on Friday, December 6, with two back-to-back semifinal showdowns:

• Wake Forest (2) vs. Stanford (3)
• Duke (1) vs. UNC (2)

Here’s everything you need to know to catch the matches:

• Date: Friday, Dec. 6
• Time: first match kicks off at 5:00 pm ET
• TV: ESPNU
• Location: WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, NC

As fans gear up for this exciting weekend, it’s worth highlighting the connection between college soccer and the NWSL. Many current NWSL stars once competed for these semifinalist programs, and you can bet they’ll be watching closely, cheering on their alma maters. Check out the full list of NWSL players who previously represented these powerhouse schools!

Duke University

Duke University, the top seed in the NCAA tournament, is still chasing its first NCAA Championship—a prize that has eluded them despite several close calls. The Blue Devils were runners-up in 1992, 2011, and 2015, and reached the semifinals in 2017, falling short of the final. Under head coach Robbie Church, this marks their third College Cup appearance, showcasing the program's sustained excellence.

Known for their offensive firepower, Duke ranks third in Division I in scoring with 3.24 goals per game. Fifth year Ella Hasse and sophomore Mia Oliaro have been standout contributors, each tallying 13 assists this season. Maggie Graham and Mia Ministrella have led the scoring charge, netting 14 and 12 goals, respectively, in 21 matches. With a balanced attack and depth across the roster, the Blue Devils could very well make program history this year.

• Bay FC: Tess Boade
• Chicago Red Stars: Sophie Jones
• NJ/NY Gotham FC: Ella Stevens
• Kansas City Current: Michelle Cooper
• Angel City FC: Lily Nabet
• Seattle Reign FC: Quinn
• Utah Royals FC: Imani Dorsey

University of North Carolina

The perennial powerhouse, UNC has cemented its legacy in the NCAA College Cup with an astounding 32 appearances and 21 titles, all achieved under coach Anson Dorrance. While Dorrance retired before this season, his absence hasn’t slowed the Tar Heels. Under the guidance of Damon Nahas—brother of North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas—UNC has once again reached the College Cup. Junior standout Kate Faasse, tied for first in Division 1 with 19 goals, delivered when it mattered most, scoring the golden goal in the 98th minute to punch their ticket to the semis. With a disciplined style, a championship pedigree, and a reputation for clutch, late-game heroics, UNC remains a team no opponent can afford to underestimate.

• Bay FC: Emmie Allen, Dorian Bailey, Savy King
• NJ/NY Gotham FC: Crystal Dunn
• Houston Dash: Paige Nielsen, Avery Patterson
• North Carolina Courage: Maycee Bell, Julia Dorsey, Brianna Pinto
• Portland Thorns FC: Meghan Klingenberg
• Seattle Reign FC: Claudia Dickey, Sam Meza
• Utah Royals FC: Ally Sentnor

Stanford University

Stanford’s women’s soccer program, perhaps second only to UNC in producing world-class talent (think Christen Press, Sophia Smith, Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario, and Kelley O’Hara), has thrived under head coach Paul Ratcliffe’s leadership over the past few decades. The Cardinal are making their 12th College Cup appearance, with three championships and three runner-up finishes to their name. Redshirt junior Andrea Kitihata leads the team in goals (9) and assists (6), supported by six other multi-goal scorers, showcasing the depth of their attack. While they might not dominate NCAA leaderboards this season, their team chemistry, disciplined defensive structures, and Ratcliffe's seasoned leadership position them as strong contenders for another title.

• Bay FC: Maya Doms, Kiki Pickett
• NJ/NY Gotham FC: Tierna Davidson
• Houston Dash: Bella Briede, Jane Campbell
• Kansas City Current: Alana Cook, Lo’eau LaBonta
• Angel City FC: Christen Press, Ali Riley
• Racing Louisville FC: Jordan Baggett
• Portland Thorns FC: Sophia Smith
• San Diego Wave FC: Kyra Carusa, Naomi Girma, Kennedy Wesley
• Seattle Reign FC: Sam Hiatt
• Washington Spirit: Nicole Barnhart, Andi Sullivan

Wake Forest University

Wake Forest enters the tournament as true underdogs, having reached this stage only twice before in program history and never advancing to a College Cup final. Yet, their journey has been anything but ordinary. Overcoming powerhouses like Wisconsin in the third round and USC in the quarterfinals proves Wake Forest is not a team to underestimate when they take on Stanford this Friday.

At the heart of their success is Caiya Hanks, a dynamic playmaker with an impressive 11 goals and 11 assists this season. Flanked by a core of seasoned homegrown seniors and standout transfers Emily Colton and Emily Murphy, this squad is hungry to leave their mark on program history.

• Kansas City Current: Bayley Feist
• Angel City FC: Madison Hammond
• Seattle Reign FC: Ryanne Brown
• Utah Royals FC: Hannah Betfort
• Washington Spirit: Aubrey Kingsbury