Florida State Women's Soccer defeats South Alabama 5-0 in NCAA Tournament

After a 5-0 victory over South Alabama, the Florida State Seminoles women's soccer team will advance to the third round of the NCAA tournament.

Florida State was in control from the very first minutes of the game, starting off with a penalty kick goal less than two minutes in by Megan Connolly, adding to her team leading 26 points. Just under three minutes later, Cheyna Williams scored her ninth goal of the season to put the 'Noles up two goals.

"I knew as soon as she (Isabella Schmid) got her foot on it, to find myself in a good position to receive it."

In those first five minutes, FSU had six shots with no sign of slowing down. Before the half would come to a close, the Seminoles would add three more goals, including two from Isabella Schmid, to take a 5-0 lead into the locker room.

The 'Noles were clearly in possession of the ball in the first half, giving the Jaguars very little time to score. When South Alabama did get the ball, the Seminoles refused to let South Alabama come close to their goal. USA did not have possession inside the penalty area of FSU until the 28th minute of the game, and recorded its first shot just four minutes later. In comparison, the fast pace offense of Florida State recorded 15 total shots with eight on goal in that first half.

It was a different style of game played in the second half, as the FSU offense slowed down significantly, unable to score again despite its 10 second half shots. Luckily, the defense continued to play as they had been, shutting out USA in the second half as well. South Alabama could only add two more shots in that second half, leading to a game total of three while Florida State had 25.

Isabella Schmid led the Seminoles with two goals on six shots and an assist while Michaela Hahn added a score. In goal, Cassie Miller had a very quiet day, not having to make a save in her 68 minutes played. Caroline Brockmeier came in to replace her with a five goal lead, and saved the only shot on goal all night from USA.

After the game, FSU soccer coach Mark Krikorian said on his team's performance,

"I think if we play like this, we're going to give ourselves a chance to win every game...I though the players executed what we asked them to execute very well, they brought the A game today, and I think everyone here was treated to some very special soccer."

Florida State will continue to quest for back to back national championships on Saturday as they host Auburn for the last time in Tallahassee.