JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's soccer is poised for one of the biggest nights of home soccer in program history as the Ospreys host No. 1/5 Florida State at Hodges Stadium Thursday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.
This will be the first time in at least UNF's DI era that the Ospreys will host the number one ranked team in the country. It's the second time that North Florida has faced off against a ranked in-state team after going to UCF earlier this year. The 2021 NCAA National Champion Noles were tabbed atop the Top Drawer Soccer poll, while being slotted at No. 5 in the latest United Soccer Coaches ledger.
MATCH DETAILS
- Who: #1 Florida State
- What: Match 6
- When: Thursday, Sept. 7
- Where: Hodges Stadium
- Live Stats: statbroadcast.com
- Watch: ESPN+
MATCH NOTES
Series History
This will be the first meeting between the Seminoles and Ospreys since Aug. 2011 … this is only the fourth matchup in series history … North Florida has played FSU twice in Tallahassee and once at UNF back in 1996.
Last Time Out
MACON, Ga. - North Florida women's soccer took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute courtesy of Brooklyn Fugel's first goal at UNF, although Mercer managed to get one tally in the second session as the Ospreys (1-2-2) and Bears (3-0-3) played to a hard-fought draw Sunday, Sept. 3. Keeper
Sarah Barrentine made six stops minding the net, setting a career high.
Scouting Report
- The Seminoles have started the campaign undefeated with wins against Texas A&M, No. 9 TCU and USF in their home opener
- Florida State took down Texas A&M 2-1 and No. 9 TCU 2-0 on the road to start the season
- The Seminoles opened up play at home with a convincing 5-1 victory against South Florida
- FSU has now won 20-straight home openers
- Three players have scored two goals apiece, with the team scoring 11 goals through the first three games
- Taylor Huff leads the squad with six points from two goals and two assists
- Keeper Cristina Roque has only permitted two goals through 270 minutes of play
- Eight players on Florida State represented their respective home countries at the 2023 Women's World Cup
- FSU hasn't fallen in the last 18 non-conference matches
By Committee
Familiar With the Noles
UNF head coach
Eric Faulconer is a two-time graduate of Florida State, having earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Florida State. Additionally, he lived in Tallahassee for over a decade.
Holding Down Hodges
- The Ospreys haven't allowed a goal or lost a game at Hodges Stadium since Oct. 23, 2021
- UNF has started the season with a 3-0 win over Air Force and a 0-0 tie against East Carolina at home
- The Ospreys have gone the last eight matches without losing or giving up a goal in games played at Hodges Stadium
Non-Conference - Looking Ahead
- UNF's 19-match slate features some very interesting opponents in non-conference play, including a match against 2022 NCAA DI semifinalist, Florida State
- UNF hosts the Noles, ECU, and Troy in addition to Air Force
- The Ospreys play road non-conference matches at Georgia Southern, UCF and Mercer before opening ASUN play at home Sept. 14 against FGCU.
Preseason Honors
- North Florida was tabbed third in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll
- Sofia Miliancano, Allyna Thurston and Zara Siassi all made the Preseason All-ASUN Team
- Miliancano put the league on notice with her play last year and was named ASUN Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
- Thurston was named to the United Soccer Coaches Defenders to Watch List
Taking Inventory
- The Ospreys return a veteran team that features 25 returners
- 19 of the 38 Ospreys are underclassmen, with 20 being upperclassmen
- UNF returns 88 percent of its scoring from last year while goalkeeper Sofia Miliancano brings back 12 matches of experience from a season ago
- UNF's stingy defense in 2022 brings in a stretch of allowing just one goal from Oct. 9 through Oct. 27.
