No. 3 FSU defeats FAU 3-0 in home opener

After moving up one spot to No. 3 in the rankings, Florida State returned to Tallahassee for its home opener, defeating FAU 3-0 to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Florida State switched up its starting lineup from its previous match against FIU. The Seminoles started sophomore Kate Ockene in goal, with freshman Bridget Mutipula, junior Janet Okeke and fifth-year Claire Rain lining up on defense. The Seminoles’ midfield featured sophomore Nyanya Touray, senior Memphis transfer Ashley Henderson, junior Peyton McGovern and junior Xavier transfer Sam Erbach. Senior Kentucky transfer Tanner Strickland, junior Tennessee transfer Anaiyah Robinson and junior Wrianna Hudson started at forward.

The starting lineup featured three returning Seminoles named to the preseason All-ACC team: Okeke, Hudson and Touray.

At 10:05, Florida State scored its first first-half goal of the season. Robinson kept the ball in play near the end line before sending it across into the box, where Strickland headed it into the back of the net. The goal was Strickland’s second as a Seminole.

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

Junior Daytona State transfer Shaneil Buckley nearly doubled FSU’s lead at 31:54, sending a shot just wide of the top-right corner.

Florida State continued generating opportunities with Erbach delivering multiple corner kicks into dangerous areas, but the Seminoles couldn’t capitalize. On FSU’s final opportunity of the half, Erbach was a step late getting to the ball in front of goal.

Florida State controlled the first half offensively, recording 10 shots with five on goal while holding FAU to one shot and none on target.

The Seminoles created those opportunities by exploiting space out wide and switching the field to keep FAU’s defense moving.

Florida State made four changes to open the second half. Senior Kansas transfer Olivia Page replaced Claire Rain on defense, while senior Stanford transfer Joelle Jung, freshman Sammy Kaczmar and Shaneil Buckley, a junior transfer from Daytona State, entered the lineup in place of Sam Erbach, Peyton McGovern and Ashley Henderson.

The early-season lineup changes give Florida State opportunities to build chemistry across a roster featuring 16 newcomers, with five freshmen and 11 transfers.

Florida State doubled its lead when Henderson found freshman Ryder Ajeto, who finished the opportunity for the first goal of her collegiate career at 63:18.

Goal No. 1 for Ryder Ajeto! pic.twitter.com/IGTvoHeMY9

Florida State’s defense continued limiting FAU’s attack, allowing just two shots and one shot on goal across the match.

FAU goalkeeper Nikki Holland recorded five saves in the game.

While Florida State finished with three goals, the Seminoles consistently pressured the Owls throughout the night, holding an 18-2 advantage in total shots, putting seven shots on goal and earning 10 corner kicks while allowing FAU none. Only one of the Owls’ two shots was on target.

Florida State is now 3-0 while continuing to integrate the new members of its roster and build chemistry early in the season.