Florida State University Athletics
Zhao, Krikorian Highlight 2018 TopDrawerSoccer Postseason Awards
12/12/2018 3:22:55 PM | General, Women's Soccer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Capping off a national championship season, Florida State soccer was well represented in the 2018 TopDrawerSoccer Postseason Awards, as Yujie Zhao earned National Freshman of the Year honors, while head coach Mark Krikorian was named National Coach of the Year.
Overall, six different Seminoles earned national accolades as Natalia Kuikka was placed on the Best XI Second Team and Deyna Castellanos was chosen for the Best XI Third Team. Jaelin Howell joined Zhao on the Freshman Best XI First Team, while goalkeeper Brooke Bollinger was named to the Freshman Best XI Second Team.
It marks the second time that Florida State has had a player named National Freshman of the Year by TopDrawerSoccer, as Megan Connolly was recognized in 2015. Overall, it is the fourth National Freshman of the Year award for the Seminoles as Amanda DaCosta (Soccer Buzz) and Sanna Talonen (Soccer America) were each honored in 2007.
Zhao shined in her first year of collegiate soccer, playing in 26 games with 23 starts and finishing second on the team with 19 points on seven goals and five assists. She had four game-winning goals and two game-winning assists and was a catalyst in the midfield for the Seminoles this season. The Shanghai, China native also earned United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American, ACC Freshman of the Year and All-ACC First Team honors this season.
Krikorian earned his fourth National Coach of the Year honor in 2018 and his first from TopDrawerSoccer. He received the award in 2005 from Soccer America and again in 2014 from Soccer America and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Through his 14 seasons at Florida State, he has led the Seminoles to a record of 258-60-30, with two NCAA National Championships, six ACC Championships, and 12 trips to the NCAA Quarterfinals to be one of the final eight teams playing for a title. With wins over No. 1 Stanford and No. 3 North Carolina in the 2018 College Cup, Krikorian has improved his record against ranked teams to 102-47-18, dating back to 2005.
Kuikka anchored the Seminole defense that recorded 16 shutouts on the season, and allowed just 13 goals over 27 matches. The Kemi, Finland native also added two goals and an assists in 2018, including the game-winning goal against Vanderbilt on August 16. Kuikka was also named a United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American.
Castellanos posted another All-American season as the junior forward led the team with 28 points on 10 goals and eight assists, including five game-winning goals and assisting on two of FSU’s three goals scored at the 2018 College Cup.
Howell garnered 2018 College Cup Most Outstanding Player on Defense honors as the freshman controlled the midfield with strong possession and physical play. Offensively on the season, she scored one goal and had four assists, and earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Third Team, All-ACC Second Team and ACC All-Freshman Team.
Bollinger was outstanding in goal for the Seminoles in her 20 matches played this season. A redshirt freshman from Melbourne, Fla., Bollinger tallied 10 shutouts and allowed just nine goals for a 0.45 goals-against average. She finished the year ranked in the top 15 in the NCAA in both categories.
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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