No. 1 FSU soccer destroys North Florida
Taylor Huff recorded a hat trick in the blowout.
Game Recap
Florida State wasted no time in applying pressure. In the third minute Taylor Suarez drove the ball into the box from the left side. She laid it back to Wrianna Hudson at the edge of the six. Hudson one-timed a left footed shot toward goal but it was saved by Osprey keeper Sofia Miliancano. However, the ball rebounded to Ashlyn Puerta who was trailing the play. Puerta fired a right footed strike from about eight yards out right into the back of the net for FSU’s first goal. It was Puerta’s first ever collegiate goal.
In the 22nd minute Hudson received a beautiful through ball from Suarez. Hudson niftily flicked the ball forward and then used her speed to get by the defender. Miliancano came out to cut off Hudson’s angle. However, Hudson deftly left the ball for a charging Taylor Huff who one-timed a right footed blast into the open net to give Florida State a 2-0 lead.
In the 26th minute Huff made an overlapping run into the box from the right side. Ran Iwai found Huff who drove the ball to the endline before sending a cross into the six. Camille Ashe received the pass and took a turn before blasting a right footed shot into the back of the net. It was Ashe’s first goal as a Seminole.
In the 33rd minute the Noles earned a corner kick. Huff took the corner and sent a searching ball to the far post. The ball was placed perfectly by Huff and it sailed right over a leaping Ella Dudley for an Olympico goal.
In the 39th minute Peyton McGovern received the ball in the midfield. McGovern had acres of space in front of her. She slotted a beautiful ball through the defense for Lara Dantas who was racing down the right flank. Dantas tracked the ball down in the box and cut it back to evade Layla Thompson. Dantas then fired a left footed shot into the corner of the goal. It was the first collegiate goal for Dantas.
In the 57th minute Mimi Van Zanten drove the ball into the Osprey defensive third. She tried to pass it to Hudson on the left side but her pass was blocked by Thompson. However, Van Zanten was able to collect the rebound. She took a touch and then fired a right footed blast from about 25 yards out that sailed over the outstretched arms of new Osprey keeper Sarah Barrentine into the upper right corner to give the Seminoles a 6-0 lead.
In the 58th minute the Seminoles earned another corner kick. Huff was on the bench taking a breather so Puerta stepped up to take it. Puerta sent the ball toward the near post. Ashe and Osprey defender Sophia Hayag were jostling for position. Hayag got her head on the ball but unfortunately it caromed backward into the back of the net to give the Noles a 7-0 lead.
In the 64th minute Heather Gilchrist spotted an opening in the midfield. She took advantage driving the ball to the edge of the Osprey defensive third. Gilchrist then sent a pass for Solai Washington who received it just outside the box. Washington turned and created some space before firing a left footed strike that banged off the left post into the side of the net to give FSU a commanding 8-0 lead. It was the first collegiate goal for Washington.
In the 75th minute Huff retrieved a loose ball on the left side of the box. She then found an open pocket in the UNF defense before uncorking a shot from distance. Huff’s shot sailed over the outstretched arm of Barrentine right under the crossbar and into the back of the net. FSU had a 9-0 lead.
In the 76th minute Dantas found Giana Riley on the right side of the box. Riley crossed the ball into the middle of the box. Olivia Lebdaoui ran onto it and one-timed a blast into the corner of the net for the tenth and final goal.
Post Game
Florida State led North Florida in shots 37-2 and shots on goal 23-1.
The Seminoles won the possession battle 80% to 20% (it honestly felt like FSU had even more possession).
Taylor Huff had a hat trick and an assist. Those seven points are second all time for a Florida State player in a single game. There are a couple of former Noles tied with eight points.
Ashlyn Puerta, Camille Ashe, Lara Dantas, Mimi Van Zanten, Solai Washington and Olivia Lebdaoui were the other Noles credited with goals.
Wrianna Hudson, Peyton McGovern, Heather Gilchrist, Giana Riley, Huff and Puerta all earned assists.
Peyton Nourse tore her ACL in January and after the game Coach Pensky confirmed that they do not expect her to play this season.
Nina Norshie was held out of tonight’s game due to an NCAA eligibility issue (paperwork) but the staff expects her to be available for the next game on Thursday.
It’s tough to contextualize this obliteration because it’s hard to know just how good teams are this early in the season. However, North Florida did just beat Miami three days ago in Coral Gables. Therefore, they may not be terrible. Obviously if they aren’t terrible this win looks even more impressive.
Florida State played 12 players tonight that didn’t play a single minute for the Seminoles last year. Nevertheless, it doesn’t look as if this team has missed a beat.
The Seminoles will be tested when they lose six players to the U20 World Cup. However, the quality of the players who will remain is substantial. I am going to say it right now. Florida State will not lose during the World Cup even though they will be without those six players. Book it.
Next Game
Florida State will welcome the Rice Owls to the Seminole Soccer Complex on Thursday. The game will kickoff at 7pm and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.