No. 3 Florida State soccer rolls by FAU, 3-0, in home opener

In front of a home crowd for the first time this season, No. 3 Florida State soccer shut out FAU, 3-0, on Thursday, Aug. 20, to extend the Seminoles' unbeaten run in regular-season non-conference games to 36.

It's another unbeaten start to the year for FSU, which carries a five-game shutout streak that dates back to last season's College Cup. Through three games this season, the Seminoles have outscored opponents 9-0, and forward Tanner Strickland leads the team with two goals scored this season, one of which came against FAU.

Strickland opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Anaiyah Robinson made a strong run down the right wing, and she fired a cross into the box moments before the ball went out of bounds. Strickland crashed the back post and dove towards the ball to steer home a header and put the Seminoles up 1-0. It was the first first-half goal for FSU this season.

A beautiful cross from Anaiyah Robinson and Tanner Strickland heads it in! pic.twitter.com/ymCyzVTKmx

FSU remained on the front foot and went into the halftime break ahead 1-0. In the 63rd minute, freshman Ryder Ajeto opened her collegiate account with a smart finish off an assist from Ashley Henderson.

Henderson got on the ball in the penalty box, and she played a defense-splitting pass to Ajeto, who took a touch before her right-footed strike overpowered FAU goalkeeper Nikki Holland. In the 82nd minute, the Seminoles got a third thanks to an own goal. A loose ball bounced around after a corner kick, and it deflected off an FAU defender before rolling into the net.

The Seminoles will be back in action on Sunday, Aug. 23, in Gainesville against Florida.

• When: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2 p.m.
• Where: Donald R. Dizney Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
• Watch: SEC Network

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: No. 3 Florida State soccer rolls by FAU, 3-0, in home opener