Florida State University’s soccer team dominated in its first game of the NCAA tournament Friday, sending Samford packing 8-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of rabid Seminoles fans.
The Nole’s largest margin in a postseason win ever, the game was even more of a blowout than the score would suggest. The team had possession of the ball for all but a few fleeting moments of the 90-minute match. Seven different FSU players scored. It’s exactly the start to the tournament the team wanted as it’s attempting to become back-to-back national champions.
The first goal came seven minutes into the match. FSU Soccer superfan Robert Pumphrey was beginning to lead the crowd in a chant of “Garnett and Gold” right before it happened. The chant was interrupted with cheers as everyone in the crowd got on their feet.
The stadium was at capacity. Fans spilled over into the grassy areas around the stadium. Outside of the stadium, a huge group of fans were tailgating on the top of a nearby parking garage.
One of them was Julie Copeland, who’s been going to FSU soccer games for years. She said she picked tailgating up there for the view and hanging with her family, but the alcohol, snacks and pets with them may have also contributed. Copeland has no doubts about FSU’s chances in the tournament.
“Oh, they are gonna win it. They are going to go all the way,” she said.
Florida State will play Vanderbilt in the second round of the tournament at home next Friday.