Women’s soccer teams with most NCAA DI national championships

The first national championship in women’s soccer went to North Carolina 36 years ago, in 1982, for its 2-0 victory over Central Florida.

Since the inaugural NCAA DI women’s soccer national championship, 11 teams have finished the season atop the sport. The 2023 season ended with Florida State moving into second place with its fourth national championship in school history and second in the last three years.

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Let’s take a look at the six teams that have won at least two titles.

History of women’s college soccer: Programs with the most national championships

1. North Carolina – 21

Jamie Schwaberow | NCAA Photos
UNC’s Reilly Parker celebrates the Tar Heels’ 4-1 victory over Penn State University during the 2012 Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.

Championships: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012

There is no doubt that North Carolina absolutely dominates in women’s soccer. The Tar Heels have not won a national championship since 2012, but have been runners-up the past two seasons and have made their presence felt in the championship game. In total, they have won 21 championship titles. That’s over 50 percent of all DI NCAA women’s soccer national championships ever played. North Carolina’s 1992 national championship was the highest-scoring title game in the sport’s history, ending in a 9-1 victory over Duke.

2. State of Florida – 4

THE STATE OF FLORIDA CELEBRATES WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Championships: 2014, 2018, 2021, 2023

After twice narrowly missing out on national runner-up honors in 2007 and 2013, the Seminoles finally claimed their long-awaited national title in 2014. Just four years later, they clinched the No. 2 spot by defeating North Carolina—our winningest team on the list—1-0 in the Women’s College Cup. The Seminoles beat BYU 4-3 on penalty kicks in 2021. They secured their fourth national championship in 2024 with a 5-1 victory over Stanford.

HISTORY: Women’s soccer teams with most consecutive home wins

3 (tie). Stanford – 3

NCAA Photos
Stanford celebrates winning the 2017 national championship.

Championships: 2011, 2017, 2019

Both Stanford’s women’s and men’s soccer teams won national championships during the 2017 season. The Cardinal had a nearly perfect season, finishing 23-1-0 after defeating UCLA 3-1. Just two years later, the Cardinal had another monster season, finishing 24-1-0 and defeating the winningest team in women’s soccer championship history (North Carolina) to claim their third title. Stanford’s other national championship came in 2011 with another nearly perfect finish (25-0-1) and a 1-0 win over Duke.

3 (tie). Notre Dame – 3

Jeffrey Camarati | NCAA Photos
Notre Dame’s Lauren Fowlkes holds the National Championship trophy after the team’s 1-0 victory over Stanford in 2010.

Championships: 1995, 2004, 2010

All three of Notre Dame’s national championships in women’s soccer are fairly far apart. The Fighting Irish’s 2010 win was a seemingly easy 1-0 final against Stanford. The other two were not so easy. During the 1995 championship, Notre Dame went to three overtimes before defeating Portland 1-0 to take the title. In the 2004 game, the Fighting Irish went to double overtime against UCLA and eventually won 1-1 in a shootout.

4 (simultaneous). Santa Clara – 2

Santa Clara celebrates its second national championship in 2020

Championships: 2001, 2020

In 2001, Santa Clara won its first Women’s College Cup trophy, defeating North Carolina 1-0. Nearly two decades later, the Broncos reclaimed the victory against surprise No. 1 Florida State, winning 1-1 on penalty kicks as the No. 11 seed.

4 (simultaneous). Southern California – 2

NCAA Photos
USC’s Katie Johnson is doused with Powerade after defeating West Virginia 3-1 in the 2016 national championship.

Championships: 2007, 2016

After winning their first national championship in 2007, the Trojans had to wait nine years to regain that glory. They won their second national championship in 2016 with a 3-1 win over West Virginia. The first goal came in the second minute of play, and two more followed in the second half.

4 (tie). Portland – 2

Portland Athletics
Portland celebrates its victory after the 2005 national championship.

Championships: 2002, 2005

Portland is the third women’s soccer team to win two national championships. Their 2002 victory took two overtimes, but the Pilots ultimately beat Santa Clara 2-1. In 2005, UCLA lost to Portland 4-0 in the final.

BUY CHAMPIONSHIP GEAR: Shop the official Stanford women’s soccer gear for the 2019 College Cup

Women’s College Soccer: The Complete History of the Championship Game

Here is the complete list of national champions in women’s college soccer: