TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Coming off a national championship a season ago, the top-ranked Florida State soccer team (1-0-0) took care of business at home with a 2-0 win over TCU (0-1-0).
“That was our first game against a strong opponent and we have to feel good,” said head coach Mark Krikorian. “That TCU team is going to go on to win a lot of games and I thought, for the most part, our kids did a great job of containing the threat on goal.”
In front of 1,500 fans at the Seminole Soccer Complex, the Noles controlled the game for all 90 minutes, outshooting the Horned Frogs 21 to 3 en route to their opening day victory. It improves head coach Mark Krikorian’s record at home during the opening game to 9-0-0.
The ball floated around the field until TCU got the first shot off in the 15th minute. The ball was then possessed mostly by Florida State until the 18th minute when freshman Heather Payne recorded her first career goal on her first career shot after a free-kick from senior Deyna Castellanos.
“Her goal was a fantastic goal,” said Krikorian. “The background she has is as a forward. When she had her moment she capitalized. It was a great finish.”
With a goal in her first career game, she is the first Seminole freshman to do so since Deyna Castellanos did in 2016 against Texas A&M.
Shortly after TCU retaliated with their second of three shots, this one saved by redshirt senior Caroline Jeffers.
Coming out of the second half, the Noles continued to maintain possession with two early shots by freshman Jenna Nighswonger who played 82 minutes and recorded three shots.
The TCU defense could hold no longer when Castellanos recorded her first goal of the season and 37th of her career in the 58th minute. Castellanos is now three goals away from moving into a tie for third in goals in a career at FSU.
“Dayna played like a pro today,” said Krikorian. “She managed the game and helped us in so many ways besides scoring a beautiful goal. The maturity she is starting to show and getting prepared for the next level is great. She has come in and worked hard.”
The Seminole defense wrapped up the game, constricting TCU to just one shot in the second half for their first shutout of the season.
Florida State is back on the pitch on Sunday as they take on Wisconsin at 2:00 pm. The match will be broadcast on the ACC Network as the first live event on the Network.
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