No. 4 FSU soccer moves to 2-0 with win over FIU

The No. 4 Florida State Seminoles continued their strong start to the season, defeating FIU 2-0 to improve to 2-0.

FSU’s starting lineup featured junior Iowa transfer Fernanda Mayrink in goal. Freshman Bridget Mutipula, junior Janet Okeke and senior Kansas transfer Olivia Page lined up on defense. The Seminoles’ midfield included junior Peyton McGovern, freshman Sammy Kazmar, senior Stanford transfer Joelle Jung, sophomore Nawreen Ahmad and junior Xavier transfer Sam Erbach. The starting forwards were senior SMU transfer Nyah Rose and junior Tennessee transfer Anaiyah Robinson.

For the opening 10 minutes, the Seminoles controlled possession on FIU’s side of the field and immediately put pressure on the Panthers’ defense. Robinson was active early in the attack, recording three shots as Florida State looked for its opening goal. When FIU moved the ball into FSU’s defensive third, the Seminoles’ back line consistently disrupted the attack and moved the ball away from danger.

Wrianna Hudson came off the bench at 21:42 and continued her strong start to her junior season with the Seminoles. Hudson nearly broke through at 39:33, creating an opportunity that ultimately resulted in a corner rather than a goal.

The second half started strong. At 54:35, Hudson missed an opportunity on a header following an FSU throw-in. Less than a minute later, she made the next opportunity count. Hudson scored at 55:32 off an assist from Robinson to give the Seminoles a 1-0 lead.

FSU wasted almost no time adding another.

Just over a minute later, at 56:34, the ball moved back and forth between the Seminoles before finding Nyanya Touray. The sophomore, who came off the bench at 21:42, took her time, settled the ball and powered a shot that sailed into the back of the net for FSU’s second goal of the night, extending the lead to 2-0.

Florida State’s defense remained a key part of the victory. Throughout the game, the Seminoles consistently utilized their defenders in the passing game when facing pressure rather than forcing the ball forward. Mutipula stood out in the middle of the defense, frequently getting involved in possession and providing a reliable option as FSU worked the ball out of its defensive third.

After entering halftime scoreless for the second consecutive game, Florida State once again found its rhythm in the second half. The Seminoles finished with eight shots on goal while limiting FIU to three, securing their second straight shutout and improving to 2-0 to begin the season.