Owls’ Defense Has Strong Showing vs. Florida State

Thursday, August 20

Tallahassee, Fla.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

0-2-1, 0-0-0

No. 3 Florida State

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Fla. Atlantic	0	0	0
Florida St.	1	2	3

8/20/2026 9:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic women's soccer team battled with No. 3 Florida State on Thursday night at the Seminole Soccer Complex, falling 3-0.

THE TURNING POINT
The Seminoles (3-0-0) got on the board in the 11th minute, but the Owls' (0-2-1) defense was up to the task the remainder of the first half. Despite a 10-1 shot advantage by the home team, FAU kept FSU out of the net any further, while goalkeeper Nikki Holland – in her first career start – recorded four saves in the first.

THE FINISH
Florida State doubled its lead in the 64th minute, one of eight shots by the Seminoles after the break. They held the Owls to just one shot in that same time frame and added a final tally on an FAU own goal in the 84th minute, to seal the victory.

NOTABLES

Hailey Santiago had both Owl shot attempts, one in each half
Holland finished with five saves on the night
Besides Holland, freshman defender Avery Runk and grad transfer midfielder Bella Burr also made their first career FAU starts
Freshman Julia Xavier made her collegiate debut
Thursday was also Holland's first 90-minute match, and she was joined for the entirety by her backline mates Sydney Neira and Cicely-Ann Spencer-Wickham

QUOTABLE

Postgame tonight with Coach Baker pic.twitter.com/B6Nd5TmXzF
— Florida Atlantic Women's Soccer (@FAUWSoccer) August 21, 2026

WHAT'S NEXT
The Owls return home to FAU Soccer Stadium, hosting Howard next Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic women's soccer, follow the team on social media @FAUWSoccer.

#WIP