Florida State University Athletics
Mimi Van Zanten Signs with San Diego Wave
12/29/2025 4:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State soccer junior defender Mimi Van Zanten has signed with the San Diego Wave of the National Women's Soccer League, the club announced on Monday.
In her three-year collegiate career, Van Zanten helped lead Florida State to two national titles, in 2023 and 2025, along with three ACC championships, two tournament and one regular-season. She is a two-time All-Region and All-ACC awardee, in both 2024 and 2025.
Van Zanten is the second Seminole to sign professionally this offseason following the team winning their fifth NCAA championship in early December. Van Zanten is joined by senior defender Heather Gilchrist, who signed with fellow NWSL side Bay FC on December 23.
"I am eternally grateful for the amazing experience I had at Florida State," Van Zanten said. "All of the incredible staff members have worked endlessly for every single player on this team and because of them, I am able to achieve my dreams of playing professional soccer. This team has the most amazing players on and off the field and I will always have a special place for them in my heart. Thank you Florida State for everything. Go Noles!!"
"The Wave got a good one, and Mimi has a very bright future ahead of her," FSU head coach Brian Pensky said. "She's a terrific two-way player who can play in a variety of roles. Mimi is the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde – she has a smile that can light up a room, and is an unequivocal killer on the field."
Van Zanten will be the first player from FSU to play for San Diego since the club's inaugural season in 2022.
From 2023-25, Van Zanten was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team in 2025 and the All-Region Third Team in 2024, along with earning All-ACC Third Team accolades each of the last two seasons. She was recognized on the 2023 All-ACC Freshman Team and the 2023 ACC All-Tournament Team.
Hailing from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Van Zanten appeared in 63 games with 51 starts with more than 4,500 minutes played in her three-year FSU career, primarily as a defender. She scored six goals with 11 assists for 23 points on 38 shots and 16 shots on goal. Van Zanten notched three game-winning goals, all in 2024.
As a junior in 2025, Van Zanten tied for third on the team with five assists and scored one goal for seven points with eight shots, two on goal. She played in 19 games with 18 starts and totaled 1,381 minutes. On the back line, she helped the Seminoles to 13 shutouts on the season, including four in the NCAA Tournament and both contests in the College Cup.
Internationally, Van Zanten has represented the Jamaican National Team, and played in the U20 CONCACAF Championship. She also was a member of the United States U-17 Youth National Team.
For more information on Florida State soccer, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter/X and Facebook (@FSUSoccer) & Instagram (@NoleSoccer).
In her three-year collegiate career, Van Zanten helped lead Florida State to two national titles, in 2023 and 2025, along with three ACC championships, two tournament and one regular-season. She is a two-time All-Region and All-ACC awardee, in both 2024 and 2025.
Van Zanten is the second Seminole to sign professionally this offseason following the team winning their fifth NCAA championship in early December. Van Zanten is joined by senior defender Heather Gilchrist, who signed with fellow NWSL side Bay FC on December 23.
"I am eternally grateful for the amazing experience I had at Florida State," Van Zanten said. "All of the incredible staff members have worked endlessly for every single player on this team and because of them, I am able to achieve my dreams of playing professional soccer. This team has the most amazing players on and off the field and I will always have a special place for them in my heart. Thank you Florida State for everything. Go Noles!!"
"The Wave got a good one, and Mimi has a very bright future ahead of her," FSU head coach Brian Pensky said. "She's a terrific two-way player who can play in a variety of roles. Mimi is the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde – she has a smile that can light up a room, and is an unequivocal killer on the field."
Van Zanten will be the first player from FSU to play for San Diego since the club's inaugural season in 2022.
From 2023-25, Van Zanten was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team in 2025 and the All-Region Third Team in 2024, along with earning All-ACC Third Team accolades each of the last two seasons. She was recognized on the 2023 All-ACC Freshman Team and the 2023 ACC All-Tournament Team.
Hailing from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Van Zanten appeared in 63 games with 51 starts with more than 4,500 minutes played in her three-year FSU career, primarily as a defender. She scored six goals with 11 assists for 23 points on 38 shots and 16 shots on goal. Van Zanten notched three game-winning goals, all in 2024.
As a junior in 2025, Van Zanten tied for third on the team with five assists and scored one goal for seven points with eight shots, two on goal. She played in 19 games with 18 starts and totaled 1,381 minutes. On the back line, she helped the Seminoles to 13 shutouts on the season, including four in the NCAA Tournament and both contests in the College Cup.
Internationally, Van Zanten has represented the Jamaican National Team, and played in the U20 CONCACAF Championship. She also was a member of the United States U-17 Youth National Team.
For more information on Florida State soccer, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter/X and Facebook (@FSUSoccer) & Instagram (@NoleSoccer).
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