The FSU women’s soccer team first took the pitch in 1995. Though the team finished with a losing record, there were plenty of bright spots in the opening season. D Janine Lavoie scored the first goal in program history in a win over West Florida, while GK Melissa Juhl set a program record for most saves in a season. FSU’s 11-0 rout over Jacksonville also set a record for most goals in a game by the Seminoles.
Head coach Patrick Baker arrived in 1999 and directed the Seminoles to five winning seasons in six years. Under his leadership, FSU earned their first NSCAA ranking and first rivalry wins against Florida, North Carolina, Miami and Virginia. The Noles also made noise in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments, opening the door for deeper runs to come.
When Mark Krikorian became head coach in 2005, he elevated the program into one of the most dominant forces in college soccer. FSU became a perennial title contender and defensive powerhouse with Krikorian at the helm. Over 17 seasons in Tallahassee, he guided the Noles to three National Championships, eight ACC Championships and 11 College Cup appearances. His program record of 310-67-36 and six 20-win seasons built the foundation of a dynasty still reigning today.
In the opening game of the 2006 season, No. 4 FSU defeated No. 1 Portland at home, 2-1, for the first victory over a top-ranked team in program history. M India Trotter tied the game in the 69th minute before F Mami Yamaguchi scored the match-winning goal at 79:17. The victory put the college soccer world on notice — the Seminoles were on the rise.
M Mami Yamaguchi had one of the most decorated campaigns in the sport’s history in the 2007 season. She set program records with 66 points, 24 goals and 18 assists. She also enjoyed a seven-game scoring streak and three separate matches with a hat trick. Yamaguchi became the first Seminole to win ACC Offensive Player of the Year and the MAC Hermann Trophy as the top player in DI soccer; she also became the first to earn consensus First Team All-American honors. Her leadership powered FSU to the first College Cup appearance in program history. In 2008, Yamaguchi forwent her final year of college eligibility to play professionally in Sweden.
Backed by GK Kelsey Wys, M Dagny Brynjarsdottir, D Toni Pressley and F Tiffany McCarty, the Seminoles clinched the first ACC Championship in program history in 2011. No. 14 FSU outdueled No. 9 Wake Forest, 3-1 on penalty kicks. It was the first of 11 conference championships … and counting.
No. 2 FSU defeated conference rival No. 4 Virginia in the 2014 College Cup Final, taking home the first National Championship in program history. “Miss November” F Jamia Fields scored the game’s lone goal. The Seminoles boasted a dominant squad that season with ACC Offensive Player of the Year M Dagny Brynjarsdottir, ACC Defensive Player of the Year D Kristin Grubka and F Cheyna Williams, who was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the NCAA Tournament. GK Cassie Miller set program records with 24 wins and 19 shutouts that season.
Taking on a national powerhouse in No. 3 North Carolina was no challenge for No. 1 FSU in the 2018 College Cup Final. Behind M Dallas Dorosy’s goal, the Seminoles secured a 1-0 victory for the second National Championship in program history. The team had an array of contributors that season, including ACC Freshman of the Year M Yujie Zhao, Honda Sports Award winner D Natalia Kuikka and M Jaelin Howell, named Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the NCAA Tournament. FSU’s second title in four years marked the beginning of a dynasty.
The Seminoles earned bragging rights as a premier program by winning the 2021 National Championship, marking the third title in eight years under coach Mark Krikorian. No. 1 FSU outlasted No. 13 BYU 4-3 on penalty kicks for the victory. That season’s cast of stars included M Jaelin Howell, who won the MAC Hermann Trophy and Honda Sports Award; M Yujie Zhao, whose successful penalty kick clinched the College Cup Final; and GK Cristina Roque, who earned the honor of Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the NCAA Tournament. FSU’s 22-1-2 record was one of the best in program history.
Following in the footsteps of legendary coach Mark Krikorian was no easy task, but the Seminoles had the right person for the job in Brian Pensky. After joining the team in April 2022, Pensky guided FSU to three consecutive ACC Championships along with the 2023 National Championship. Pensky was also named ACC Coach of the Year in 2023. He continues to lead FSU today.
FSU bolstered its dynastic run by winning the 2023 National Championship, the fourth in program history and second in three years. In their most impressive College Cup Final to date, the No. 1 Seminoles downed No. 2 Stanford, 5-1. The squad featured M Onyi Echegini, winner of both the MAC Hermann Trophy and the Honda Sports Award; F Jordynn Dudley, the Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the NCAA Tournament; D Lauren Flynn, the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the NCAA Tournament; and stalwart GK Cristina Roque. FSU finished the season with a dominant 22-0-1 record.
