Florida State University’s men’s soccer squad opened its 2026 season on Sunday night, traveling to Miami to meet Florida International University at Leyva Family Field. The match was broadcast live on ESPN+, giving fans across the country a first look at the Seminoles’ new-look attack.
Transfer‑laden offense delivers
The scoring opened with Sam Erbach, who arrived from Xavier, followed by Tanner Strickland’s penalty‑kick goal after a move from Kentucky. Joelle Jung, a recent Stanford transfer, added a third marker, and Peyton McGovern, a junior returning to the lineup, capped the scoring. Their combined effort illustrated how the new transfers have already integrated into the team’s rhythm.
Between the goals, goalkeeper Kate Ockene secured her sixth clean sheet in the last eight games, underscoring the defensive stability that has characterized the program in recent seasons. The shutout extended the Seminoles’ unbeaten streak in regular‑season non‑conference play to 34 matches, a run that dates back to the middle of the 2019 campaign.
A historic edge and a look ahead
Florida State holds a perfect 7‑0‑0 record against FIU, including a 5‑0‑0 mark at home and a 2‑0‑0 record on the road. The series began with a double‑overtime victory in 1998, and the Seminoles continued that dominance with a 2‑0 win over FIU last August in Tallahassee. Up next, the team will host Florida Atlantic on August 20 at 7 p.m., a match that will stream on ACC Network Extra.