Seminoles are first Division I program to finish unbeaten and untied in 27 years

By Official Florida FC

Florida State capped off an unblemished season on Sunday afternoon in Cary, North Carolina with an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title.

The Seminoles (11-0) defeated No. 1 North Carolina 3-2. Florida State never trailed in the match. The nation’s leading offense scored twice in the first six minutes.

Clara Robbins scored two goals in three seasons prior to this, her senior, season. Robbins scored twice against a Tar Heels defense that conceded three times in 11 previous games.

Robbins assisted LeiLanni Nesbeth’s 47th minute goal to put Florida State up 3-0. North Carolina (11-1) responded with a 59th minute penalty kick and an 89th minute consolation.

Florida State’s victory clinched its seventh ACC Tournament title. This year was the first time since 2014 Florida State won the ACC regular season and ACC Tournament titles. That year, the Seminoles won the national championship.

This year, that option is not available. The NCAA cancelled its college championships over the summer.

The COVID-19 pandemic meant 10 Division I conferences either cancelled or postponed their seasons. The Pac-12, home of 2019 national champion Stanford as well as two other College Cup participatns, was among that group.

Of the 59 schools that did compete this fall, the Seminoles are, undoubtedly, the best of the bunch.

No other team in the country finished unbeaten and untied. No. 3 Texas Christian, who was coached by former FSU assistant Eric Bell and led by junior midfielder and Orange Park resident, Payton Crews won the Big 12 title with an 8-0-1 record.

Florida State is the first Division I women’s soccer program to finish unbeaten and untied since North Carolina finished 23-0 in 1993. The Tar Heels were coached by Anson Dorrance then. The Tar Heels are coached by Anson Dorrance now.

North Carolina was the second team to score more than once against the Seminoles, but it still was not enough to slow down the nation’s most potent attack. Florida State outscored opponents 34-6 this season.

“There is no one out there that has more respect for what Anson (Dorrance), his staff and his school have done for the growth of women’s soccer than I have,” said Florida State head coach Mark Krikorian.

“The opportunity to come in here, in Carolina and play against UNC again in a final is great for us. We were all treated to a very hard-working, competitive game between two good teams. Fortunately, we were able to come out and establish a couple of goals early in the game. Then came out in the second half and scored another goal. For me, I am proud of our team. I thought they played very well and brought the competitive spirit that is necessary to win championships. We feel great that as a conference we got to this point during the time of COVID.”

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