Breaking down No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 2 USC in NCAA Women's Golf Championship match

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CARLSBAD, Calif. — It's time to crown a national champion at Omni La Costa.

The 2026 NCAA Women's Golf Championship will come down to a battle between the two best teams in the country. No. 1 Stanford, which is back in the championship match for the third straight year, will take on USC, as the former Pac-12 foes will meet with the trophy on the line.

It's No. 1 vs. No. 2 in primetime, and every match features stars. This is one of the highest-anticipated matchups since moving to match play. It's only the second time the top-two seeds have met in the final.

More: NCAA Women's Golf Championship highlights: Stanford, USC advance to championship match

Here's a look at the championship match, breaking down the five matches and a prediction.

No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 2 USC​

Paula Martin Sampedro vs. Catherine Park, 5:25 p.m. EDT​

Martin Sampedro ranking: No. 4; Match-play record: 2-0

Park ranking: No. 9; Match-play record: 2-0

What to know: The leadoff match is a heavy hitter. Two of college golf's best players will kick things of Wednesday, and this match could set the tone. A win for either team is likely to be a huge momentum boost for the teammates behind.

Andrea Revuelta vs. Kylie Chong, 5:35 p.m.​

Revuelta ranking: No. 7; Match-play record: 2-0

Chong ranking: No. 25; Match-play record: 1-1

What to know: A pivotal point up for grabs. The duo, both sophomores, have multiple wins this year and have played big roles in their team's success. But Wednesday, only one can come out on top. This could be a determining match.

Meja Ortengren vs. Jasmine Koo, 5:45 p.m.​

Ortengren ranking: No. 10; Match-play record: 2-0

Koo ranking: No. 13; Match-play record: 1-1

What to know: The match between players who bounced back. Ortengren has been stellar after shooting 79 in the final round of stroke play. For Koo, she lost Tuesday morning but dominated in the afternoon and seemed to find her groove. Who can continue the strong play?

Kelly Xu vs. Elise Lee, 5:55 p.m.​

Xu ranking: No. 11; Match-play record: 2-0

Lee ranking: No. 41; Match-play record: 1-1

What to know: A repeat of a match in last year's championship, Xu beat Lee, who transferred to USC from Northwestern after winning a national title. Now they battle it out again with the biggest prize on the line.

Megha Ganne vs. Bailey Shoemaker, 6:05 p.m.​

Ganne ranking: No. 6; Match-play record: 2-0

Shoemaker ranking: No. 15; Match-play record: 1-1

What to know: The reigning U.S. Amateur champion in Ganne is a proven force in match play. Shoemaker, finally healthy, is a player whose A-game can beat anyone in the country. A thrilling anchor match could decide the national championship.

Prediction for NCAA Women's Golf Championship match​

Stanford was my pick before the championship began, and I am sticking with that prediction, though I expect a close match. There's truly no telling what can happen in match play because anything can, but Stanford has been waiting for a year to get redemption after last season's upset. That moment is finally here.

Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor for Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Breaking down NCAA Women's Golf Championship match with Stanford, USC

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