Florida State University Athletics
Castellanos And Kuikka Earn ACC Weekly Honors
10/23/2018 10:13:53 AM | General, Women's Soccer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Aiding Florida State on both the offensive and defensive end to a pair of shutout victories on the road last week, junior Deyna Castellanos and senior Natalia Kuikka were both recognized by the conference on Tuesday as Castellanos was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week and Kuikka earned Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
It is the fourth time this season that a Seminole has been honored in the weekly awards by the ACC as Castellanos and Kuikka join Yujie Zhao (September 4) and Brooke Bollinger (September 11).
Castellanos carried the offense over the weekend, as the Noles posted a 4-0 win at Pitt and a 2-0 victory at No. 6 Virginia. Castellanos scored the first goal of the match at Pitt, assisted on the next two Seminole goals, and was involved on the final goal of the game as her corner kick bounced off several players in the penalty box before Kuikka put it in the back of the net.
On Sunday at Virginia, her aggressive play resulted in the game-winning goal in the 18th minute as a controlling touch by UVA’s goalkeeper was too far out in front and Castellanos took advantage and shot it into the net. It was the first FSU goal on the road at Virginia since 2011, and the first time the Seminoles led UVA at Klöckner Stadium since 2007. Her skill in possession and passing helped the Noles keep the Cavaliers off-balance to secure the first-ever win for Florida State on the road at Virginia.
Kuikka was a strong foundation to Florida State’s success as the senior captained the defense in each shutout, holding Pitt to just two shots in the match and limiting Virginia’s scoring chances. The Cavaliers managed seven corner kicks in the match, but only were able to take one shot on any of the opportunities due to the FSU set piece defending.
In UVA’s best scoring chance of the second half, Kuikka ran down Rebecca Jarrett, who had gotten behind the FSU defense, and disrupted her as she dribbled into the box so that she couldn’t get a shot off to help preserve the shutout. She also contributed offensively in both wins, scoring the final goal at Pitt after a Seminole corner kick in the 64th minute, and assisting on the second goal at Virginia with an aggressive run from the back line to find Anna Patten in front of an open net to put FSU up 2-0 before halftime.
Throughout 2018-19, the Seminoles will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of women’s intercollegiate athletics at Florida State and there are many events and reunions planned for all women’s sports. Head to www.seminoles.com/50th/ for more information that will be updated throughout the year.
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