FSU Soccer Routs Samford to Open NCAA Tournament

Florida State scored a season-high four goals on Saturday to down Samford in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Tallahassee. The Seminoles scored just three minutes into the match and never looked back in a 4-0 victory.

Malia Berkley got the scoring started for FSU (14-3-4) in the third minute before senior Megan Connolly added her seventh goal of the season in the 28th minute to give the Seminoles a 2-0 edge at halftime. Deyna Castellanos scored her seventh goal of the year about 10 minutes into the second half before Heidi Kollanen’s first goal of the year capped the scoring with about five minutes left in the match. Natalia Kuikka finished with three assists for FSU in the victory.

FSU outshot the Bulldogs 18-4. Seminoles’ goalkeeper Cassie Miller needed only one save to notch her 14th shutout of the year. The Samford duo of Anna Maddox and Katie Peters combined for six saves.

The Seminoles will remain home to face either Utah or Texas Tech in the round of 32.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson