CARY, N.C. – Deyna Castellanos delivered the pass that put the national championship within reach.
Dallas Dorosy calmly put it into the back of the net.
Castellanos’ low, early cross and Dorosy’s sliding finish in the 60th minute lifted Florida State to a 1-0 victory over North Carolina in Sunday’s NCAA College Cup Final, clinching the Seminoles’ second national championship here at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Florida State’s win over the Tar Heels – their second this year and 10th all-time – capped a stunning run to the title that saw the Seminoles knock off the sport’s biggest names.
Beginning on Oct. 28, Florida State beat No. 9 Duke, No. 12 Virginia and No. 3 North Carolina on the way to an ACC tournament title, and then No. 20 South Florida, No. 6 Southern California and No. 14 Penn State to clinch a spot in their 10th College Cup.
They then beat No. 1 Stanford on Friday to set up their title-game clash with the Tar Heels.
No wonder coach Mark Krikorian called it a “murderers’ row.”
Any doubts about FSU’s place among the nation’s elite, small as they might have been, are certainly now laid to rest.
Florida State is just the sixth program in NCAA women’s soccer history to claim multiple national champions and is the only one to win multiple titles in the last five years.
Following the first – which came after a win over Virginia in 2014 – FSU adorned a star atop the “FSU” badge on its kit, a tradition in international soccer that represents championships won. (The Brazilian national team, for example, has five to represent its five World Cup titles.)
Come August, when the defending champion Seminoles begin their title defense, their jerseys will have two stars.
Check back for plenty more coverage from Cary, including reaction from coach Mark Krikorian and players.
