GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Florida State continued their unbeaten run with a commanding 3-0 victory over Miami (FL) in Atlantic Coast Conference action on Friday evening. The eighth-ranked Seminoles (8-0-2) controlled play throughout against the Hurricanes (6-5-2) in front of a capacity crowd at the FSU Soccer Complex.
Jordynn Dudley opened the scoring for Florida State in the 8th minute with a well-placed shot, setting the tone early. Solai Washington doubled the lead in the 10th minute, and Peyton McGovern added a third in the 18th minute to give the Seminoles a commanding first-half advantage that they would not relinquish.
The first half was dominated by Florida State's relentless attack. Dudley tested Miami's defense repeatedly, recording three shots in the opening 45 minutes. Washington proved equally dangerous, forcing two saves from Miami goalkeeper Emily Bredek before the break. The Seminoles' pressure resulted in four corner kicks in the first half, while Miami struggled to establish any offensive rhythm.
Florida State maintained their control in the second half, with Giana Riley and Sophia Nguyen orchestrating the midfield. Miami's best chance came in the 56th minute when Allie Serlenga's attempt went high. The Seminoles' defensive unit, anchored by Heather Gilchrist, limited Miami to just three total shots throughout the match.
The statistical dominance was clear as Florida State outshot Miami 22-3, with 14 shots on target compared to Miami's zero. The Seminoles earned four corner kicks while preventing Miami from recording any. Bredek made 11 saves for Miami in a valiant effort, while Florida State's goalkeeper wasn't forced into a single save.
Individual performances highlighted Florida State's depth. Dudley finished with five shots, including three on target, while Washington contributed four shots. Midfielder Peyton McGovern's goal showcased the Seminoles' ability to score from multiple positions. For Miami, Brie Severns worked tirelessly in midfield, while Moira Flynn showed defensive resilience despite the constant pressure.
Tactically, Florida State's high-pressing system proved effective, forcing Miami into numerous turnovers in their own half. The Seminoles' rotation of attackers, including substitutes Kameron Simmonds and Jaida McGrew, maintained their offensive intensity throughout the match. Miami's attempts to counter were consistently thwarted by Florida State's organized defensive structure.
The victory extends Florida State's unbeaten streak to 11 matches, solidifying their position atop the ACC standings. For Miami, the loss continues their challenging conference campaign, having now dropped their fourth ACC match of the season. The Hurricanes' defensive organization showed moments of promise, but they'll need to generate more offensive opportunities moving forward.
Florida State's comprehensive performance featured contributions across the roster, with 11 different players recording shots. The Seminoles' ability to control possession and create quality chances while limiting their opponents' opportunities demonstrates why they remain one of the nation's top programs. Miami's resilience under pressure, particularly from Bredek in goal, provides something to build upon despite the defeat.
Looking ahead, Florida State travels to Notre Dame for a crucial conference matchup on October 9, while Miami returns home to host Syracuse on October 11. Both teams will look to carry lessons from this match into their upcoming fixtures as the ACC schedule intensifies.