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No. 2 FSU soccer plays home opener on Thursday vs. No. 16 Auburn (Game Thread)

Bob Ferrante

Ultimate Seminole Insider
Staff
May 10, 2022
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Via FSU sports information:

The No. 2 Florida State soccer team (1-0-1) hosts No. 16 Auburn (2-0-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m. (ACC Network) for the 2022 home opener.

Florida State is coming off an unbeaten opening weekend of the season. The Noles tied No. 12 South Carolina, 0-0, in the season opener and defeated Georgia 3-1.

The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free schedule magnet.

SERIES HISTORY VS. AUBURN

Thursday’s meeting between the Seminoles and the Tigers marks the 14th meeting between the two programs. The Seminoles lead the series 11-2, with Florida State winning each of the last three matches.

The two teams met last season in Auburn and the Seminoles won 2-1. FSU jumped out to an early lead with a Beata Olsson goal just 29 seconds into the game, off assists by Emily Madril and Jody Brown.

FSU took a 2-0 lead in the 37th minute with a goal by Maria Alagoa. Auburn scored their only goal in the 55th minute.

AUGUST SUCCESS

Florida State has been almost unbeatable in August with an all-time record of 54-9-3 (.841). Since 2005 the Noles are 45-4-2 (.902) in August with 35 shutout wins.

In the last five years, the Noles are 14-2-2 (.833) against their August opponents, outscoring them 39-8.

HOME SWEET HOME

Florida State is 182-15-10 (.903) at home since 2005. The Noles are 113-7-7 (.929) in their last 127 matches played at home, dating back to 2011. FSU has 40 wins over ranked opponents during that time.

Florida State finished the 2021 season 12-0-1 and unbeaten at home for the 10th time since 2005.

ROQUE IS DOMINANT IN GOAL

In just over two seasons as Florida State’s starting goalkeeper, Cristina Roque is a combined 28-0-7 and has started in two National Championship games.

In her career she has a 0.522 goals against average, 64 saves, a .771 save percentage and 20 shutouts.

DOMINATING POSSESSION ONCE AGAIN

After possessing the ball for an average of 65.8 percent of every game last season the Noles are back at it again in 2022. FSU has averaged possessing the ball 68 percent of the time in 2022.
 
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Via FSU sports information:

The No. 2 Florida State soccer team (1-0-1) hosts No. 16 Auburn (2-0-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m. (ACC Network) for the 2022 home opener.

Florida State is coming off an unbeaten opening weekend of the season. The Noles tied No. 12 South Carolina, 0-0, in the season opener and defeated Georgia 3-1.

The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free schedule magnet.

SERIES HISTORY VS. AUBURN

Thursday’s meeting between the Seminoles and the Tigers marks the 14th meeting between the two programs. The Seminoles lead the series 11-2, with Florida State winning each of the last three matches.

The two teams met last season in Auburn and the Seminoles won 2-1. FSU jumped out to an early lead with a Beata Olsson goal just 29 seconds into the game, off assists by Emily Madril and Jody Brown.

FSU took a 2-0 lead in the 37th minute with a goal by Maria Alagoa. Auburn scored their only goal in the 55th minute.

AUGUST SUCCESS

Florida State has been almost unbeatable in August with an all-time record of 54-9-3 (.841). Since 2005 the Noles are 45-4-2 (.902) in August with 35 shutout wins.

In the last five years, the Noles are 14-2-2 (.833) against their August opponents, outscoring them 39-8.

HOME SWEET HOME

Florida State is 182-15-10 (.903) at home since 2005. The Noles are 113-7-7 (.929) in their last 127 matches played at home, dating back to 2011. FSU has 40 wins over ranked opponents during that time.

Florida State finished the 2021 season 12-0-1 and unbeaten at home for the 10th time since 2005.

ROQUE IS DOMINANT IN GOAL

In just over two seasons as Florida State’s starting goalkeeper, Cristina Roque is a combined 28-0-7 and has started in two National Championship games.

In her career she has a 0.522 goals against average, 64 saves, a .771 save percentage and 20 shutouts.

DOMINATING POSSESSION ONCE AGAIN

After possessing the ball for an average of 65.8 percent of every game last season the Noles are back at it again in 2022. FSU has averaged possessing the ball 68 percent of the time in 2022.
Glad we can discuss details prior to the games like we do in the men's sports. What Roque is doing is unreal. She refuses to loose!!
 
Final: 1-1.

2nd draw in three matches. Getting many good opportunities, philosophy seems to work. Finishing has left a lot to be desired. Extended break (10 days) now before next match at UF on Sep. 4.

Team could use that time to work on chemistry and understanding each other a little better within the lines.
 
Yep. Auburn parked the bus and it paid off. I would think almost every one of our 17 shots were from beyond the 18.
Yes, and for the most part, straight in front of the goal so the keeper has time to square up. I’m hoping they’ll use some of the time before next game to work on taking the ball deep and sending it across the goal mouth. Less precise and more chaotic, but also more work for the defenses.
 
Yes, and for the most part, straight in front of the goal so the keeper has time to square up. I’m hoping they’ll use some of the time before next game to work on taking the ball deep and sending it across the goal mouth. Less precise and more chaotic, but also more work for the defenses.
My observations:

I didn't expect this team to start the season fast as they are slightly less talented and have a new coaching staff. It takes time for the coaches and players to figure each other out.

We played 3 top 20 teams, two on the road. We are 1-0-2. I think that is a nice start.

We have dominated both possession and shots on goal. In our two ties we had multiple shots within inches of scoring. We have had 3 shots in those two games clang off the crossbar. Nighswonger in the first game and Brown in last nights game had brilliant shots that just missed. Brown had literally 3 shots within inches last night of scoring. This is not unusual in soccer and last year's team, had similar issues early. This team has only played together for a month. We will see those close shots start to fall as we get into the season.

It is not unusual to have tired legs after playing 3 good teams in a short period of time, and it is even tougher to start the season that way. In soccer you play yourself into shape over the course of the first half of the season. Having said that, I felt like we needed to use the entire bench more than we have in the first couple games.

Brown has looked more dynamic offensively than we have ever seen her. Olsson has also looked dynamic, but seems to disappear at times. Maybe we need to shorten her shifts. Nighswonger looked tired last night. We have scored 4 goals and Bissell has been directly involved in 2 of them. Alagoa needs more playing time, she isn't in sync yet and she improves our dangerousness. Not convinced on Iwai yet.
 
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My observations:

I didn't expect this team to start the season fast as they are slightly less talented and have a new coaching staff. It takes time for the coaches and players to figure each other out.

We played 3 top 20 teams, two on the road. We are 1-0-2. I think that is a nice start.

We have dominated both possession and shots on goal. In our two ties we had multiple shots within inches of scoring. We have had 3 shots in those two games clang off the crossbar. Nighswonger in the first game and Brown in last nights game had brilliant shots that just missed. Brown had literally 3 shots within inches last night of scoring. This is not unusual in soccer and last year's team, had similar issues early. This team has only played together for a month. We will see those close shots start to fall as we get into the season.

It is not unusual to have tired legs after playing 3 good teams in a short period of time, and it is even tougher to start the season that way. In soccer you play yourself into shape over the course of the first half of the season. Having said that, I felt like we needed to use the entire bench more than we have in the first couple games.

Brown has looked more dynamic offensively than we have ever seen her. Olsson has also looked dynamic, but seems to disappear at times. Maybe we need to shorten her shifts. Nighswonger looked tired last night. We have scored 4 goals and Bissell has been directly involved in 2 of them. Alagoa needs more playing time, she isn't in sync yet and she improves our dangerousness. Not convinced on Iwai yet.
Say what you want - we look lethargic at times and are not finishing. That needs some immediate work.
 
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