No. 6 FSU soccer held to a draw at Kansas

No. 6 Florida State (2-0-1) battled to a 1-1 draw with Kansas (3-0-2) tonight at Lawrence, KS.

FSU vs. Kansas: Game Recap

Kansas came out strong early, employing the high press against the Seminoles and they had success. The Noles struggled to string passes together, which inhibited them in their efforts to build out of the back. 

However, Florida State drew first blood due to a bit of brilliance from All-American Jordynn Dudley.

In the 13^th minute, Dudley used a strong shoulder-to-shoulder challenge to knock Jordan Fjelstad to the ground and steal the ball. Dudley then stormed toward the goal. Fiona Skwierawski came over for the challenge but Dudley glided by her with a touch before sending a shot for the upper left corner of the goal. Dudley’s shot was placed with pinpoint accuracy and a diving Sophie Dawe had no chance as Dudley connected on her first goal of the season to put the Seminoles up 1-0.

However, Kansas was undaunted. In the 22^nd minute, the Jayhawks earned a throw-in. Caroline Castans sent the ball into the box. Lexi Watts battled with Jaida McGrew but was eventually able to cross the ball into the six. Saige Wimes got inside position on Mimi Van Zanten and snapped off a header that clanged off the crossbar. 

In the 26^th minute, the Jayhawks found the equalizer. Emily Tobin knocked the ball forward for KU. Watts headed the ball down into Jordan Rowan’s path. Rowan fired a shot for goal that was blocked by Janet Okeke. However, the rebound went straight to Mary Sola who blasted a shot past a diving Addie Todd to tie the score at 1-1.

In the 49^th minute, Kansas generated another chance. Watts played a gorgeous ball for Wimes who was cutting into the box. Wimes caught up to the ball but Todd came off her line smartly to smother the shot, deflecting it out of play. 

In the 59^th minute, Yuna McCormack picked up a loose ball and played it far down the field. Dudley took off using her speed to beat three defenders to track the ball down in the attacking third. Dudley had three defenders on her so she passed the ball to McCormack at the edge of the box. McCormack charged in and fired but her shot was blocked out of play by a hustling Jordan Fjelstad. 

In the 66^th minute, Jaida McGrew headed a ball forward for Wrianna Hudson who was posting up in the attacking third. Hudson collected the ball and spun toward goal. Hudson fired a left-footed shot from just outside the box but KU keeper Dawe came up big, diving to her right to deny Hudson. 

In the 85^th minute, Lydia Viets tracked down a loose ball. Viets fired it into the box. The ball ricocheted off a couple of players and bounced across the goal in the six. Wimes and Todd both went for the ball but Todd was able to grab it before Wimes could get to it and knock it into the goal. 

Neither team was able to generate a dangerous chance after that and both teams had to be satisfied with a 1-1 draw.

Post-Game Thoughts

Kansas outshot Florida State 14-8. Both teams had four shots on goal. 

Florida State struggled with the Jayhawk pressure all night. The Noles never seemed to get comfortable in the game. FSU was never able to connect enough passes to generate meaningful buildup. Florida State’s best chances came from mostly individual brilliance (usually Jordynn Dudley) rather than intricate buildup. 

I am surprised by the result as I thought FSU would win but I am much more surprised by how it happened. KU was able to sustain the high press most of the night. The high press can be an effective strategy because it puts pressure on the opponent that can lead to a turnover deep in opposing territory. However, it can be difficult to employ because it takes so much energy that it is tough to maintain for 90 minutes. It also can stretch the pressing team so that the pressing team can be vulnerable to leaving too much space in the back for a counter attack. For these reasons it is rare to see a team be able to employ the high press for the entire game or even most of it especially against a team as talented as FSU. 

Nevertheless, Kansas was able to do it. FSU has outstanding depth and is usually able to wear down opponents but Kansas was able to stay with the Noles for the entire 90 minutes. The Jayhawks were able to greatly curtail FSU’s opportunities. FSU had only eight shots. The last time FSU had so few shots was last year in a 4-1 loss at Wake Forest which was 13 games ago. It doesn’t happen often. 

I don’t want to draw too many conclusions about the team after only three games so I will keep it relatively brief. However, here is what I am seeing right now. Florida State has issues in the midfield. FSU hasn’t had anyone yet who has stepped up in the 10 role that Taylor Huff vacated.  It is not due to lack of talent. The Noles just need to figure out where everyone fits. 

In this game FSU needed to play with more width. The ball was kept too centrally too often which made the Seminoles more easy to defend. 

Lastly, (again, I’m trying to be brief) FSU needs to understand that they are going to get everyone’s best shot. Florida State was the highest ranked team to ever play at Lawrence, KS. It was a sellout crowd and the band was there to rile up the natives. It was a great atmosphere. The Jayhawks treated this like a playoff game and it showed. 

On the positive side for Florida State: The Noles went on the road against a solid team (Kansas won the Big12 tournament last year) and earned a draw without playing anywhere near their best soccer. They learned that they need to step it up to get to where they want to be this season and they didn’t have to suffer a loss to learn the lesson.

The good news is that they don’t hand out trophies in August so there is time for the Seminoles to find themselves. We are only three games into the season. The better news is that this is still a team that is loaded with talent. When the Seminoles find their rhythm they will be extremely tough to beat. The Noles aren’t there yet but there is still time to change the music.

Next Game

Florida State will welcome Stetson to the Seminole Soccer Complex next Thursday. The game will kickoff at 7pm and will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.