© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Florida State women's soccer is making its presence known in 2023 Women’s World Cup

Florida State forward Jenna Nighswonger (2) moves the ball against the Santa Clara during the second half of the NCAA College Cup championship soccer match in Cary, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Karl B DeBlaker/AP
/
FR7226 AP
Florida State forward Jenna Nighswonger (2) moves the ball against the Santa Clara during the second half of the NCAA College Cup championship soccer match in Cary, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Florida State women's soccer is making its presence known in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. The global soccer attraction will feature some of FSU’s current and former soccer stars representing countries around the world in the month-long tournament.

32 nations are competing in the upcoming Women’s World Cup. FSU’s junior defender Heather Payne and former player Megan Connolly have both led the Noles to a national title. This week, they will represent the Republic of Ireland in its first World Cup appearance.

“I used to joke before, I used to say you’re not going to win a national championship unless there’s an Irish girl on the team," said Payne. "I think it’s great to have other FSU alum on the team.”

A total of seven FSU students and alumni will be representing countries like Nigeria, Jamaica, and Costa Rica.

Australia and New Zealand will co-host the tournament. The event kicks off this Thursday, July 20th and ends Aug. 20th.

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.