GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — Florida St. put on a clinical offensive display Thursday night, overwhelming Wake Forest 4-1 in a match that saw the Seminoles control play from start to finish. Jordynn Dudley netted two goals to lead the home side, while Taylor Suarez and Yuna McCormack added crucial strikes. The loss snapped Wake Forest's two-game unbeaten streak and handed Florida St. its second consecutive victory.
Dudley struck first in the 10th minute, capitalizing on early pressure to give the Seminoles a 1-0 advantage. The forward doubled her tally in the 54th minute with an assist from Suarez, extending Florida St.'s lead to 2-0. McCormack sealed the result late in the second half with a goal in the 61st minute, assisted by Wrianna Hudson. Sierra Sythe's 55th-minute strike provided Wake Forest's lone answer, but it proved insufficient against the Seminoles' relentless attack.
The first half belonged entirely to Florida St., which dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. Wake Forest struggled to generate meaningful chances, with goalkeeper Valentina Amaral forced to make several key saves to keep the deficit manageable. The Demon Deacons' defense looked vulnerable throughout, unable to contain the Seminoles' fluid attacking movement. By halftime, Florida St. had established complete control despite the scoreline remaining 2-0.
Wake Forest emerged with more urgency after the break, and Sythe's free-kick goal in the 55th minute briefly suggested a potential comeback. The strike, assisted by Brooke Miller, gave the visitors hope and energized their attack. However, Florida St. quickly reasserted dominance, with McCormack's finish effectively putting the match out of reach. The Seminoles' depth and tactical flexibility proved too much for Wake Forest to overcome.
Florida St. dominated the statistical battle, outshooting Wake Forest 19-7 overall and 16-3 on target. The Seminoles also won the corner-kick battle 6-2, reflecting their sustained offensive pressure. Wake Forest's goalkeeper made 12 saves compared to just two for Florida St., underscoring the one-sided nature of the contest. Both teams received one yellow card apiece, with Carly Wilson cautioned for Wake Forest and Kameron Simmonds for the Seminoles.
Dudley's two-goal performance highlighted Florida St.'s attacking prowess, while Suarez's playmaking ability created space throughout the match. For Wake Forest, Sythe's goal represented the team's best chance to shift momentum, though it ultimately amounted to a consolation strike. Amaral's 12 saves kept the deficit from ballooning further, but the Demon Deacons' defense simply couldn't match Florida St.'s intensity.
The victory improves Florida St. to 10-2-3 on the season, extending their winning streak to two matches following a draw with California and a road win at Virginia. Wake Forest, now 10-4-4, will look to bounce back after the lopsided defeat. The Seminoles' balanced attack and defensive organization proved decisive in a performance that showcased why they remain among the nation's elite programs.
Florida St. returns to action against a conference opponent, while Wake Forest will aim to regain form in its next fixture. The Demon Deacons' tournament resume took a hit with this result, but the season remains young enough for a strong response.