Florida State women’s soccer hosts Georgia in week’s biggest match

The GIST: Two of the season’s most compelling women’s soccer squads hit the pitch tomorrow when the top-ranked Florida State Seminoles host the No. 24 Georgia Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. ET on ACCNX. For the former, it’s 2024’s first true test. For the latter, it’s a potentially season-defining match.

The Seminoles’ start: The reigning natty champs are still hands down the nation’s hottest team — they’ve outscored their first three season opponents by a mind-numbing 18-0, extending last year’s win streak to 18 games.

• Despite losing half their 2023 roster, the ’Noles haven’t skipped a beat thanks to three standout freshmen: forward Wrianna Hudson and midfielders Ashlyn Puerta and Lara Dantas. Think Triple Espresso, college edition.

• The biggest question facing FSU? How well their young core will hold up against their first ranked opponent of the season.

The Bulldogs’ start: Hoping to earn nationwide recognition in pre–SEC play, Georgia gambled with an ambitious early schedule. So far, it’s generally paid off: The Bulldogs held their own with then–No. 7 Pitt, put up a good fight against No. 5 UNC, and crushed Kennesaw State. Now, the pressure’s on to make a serious statement against their final ranked nonconference opponent.

• The Dawgs’ offense is powered by forward Margie Detrizio and midfielder Summer Denigan, who’ve each netted three goals so far this season, with Denigan’s booked via a hat trick on Sunday. To keep up with FSU’s scoring machine, both must overperform tomorrow.

Tonight’s can’t-miss match: No. 3 UCLA and No. 16 BYU will kick off the midweek action tonight at 10 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network. A mediocre season start sent BYU tumbling from No. 4 in yesterday’s poll, but nothing gets a squad back on track like a high-profile road win.