The Samford soccer team wrapped up their 2025 season with a loss against Florida State University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last Friday.
This marks the Bulldogs’ third loss overall this season and brought an end to the 17-game unbeaten streak with the last loss in August.
The team earned their bid to the NCAA Tournament after a second consecutive Southern Conference Championship win, in which they took down Mercer 4-1 on Nov. 9.
Following the SoCon Tournament win, Samford players Martha Bishop, Sam De Luca, Hanna Rae Himes, and Avery Stevens were named to the SoCon Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team. In addition to her position on the All-Tournament team, De
Luca was awarded the honor of Most Outstanding Player at the SoCon Women’s Tournament.
In the NCAA tournament selection, the Bulldogs were matched with Florida State in the first round for the second consecutive year. This followed their 8-0 loss to the Seminoles last year.
Following the selection show on Monday, De Luca said, “It’s super exciting. It’s a great honor to even be a part of the tournament. And to go in there and do it with this group is super exciting, so we’re ready to go for sure… We’re excited to start preparing for that and hopefully to get a win.”
On Thursday, the Bulldogs traveled to Tallahassee, and they played the Seminoles on Friday night. Florida State scored one goal in the first half, and then three more in the second, eliminating Samford from the NCAA
Tournament in the first round. “Sometimes you have to be thankful for things you wish wouldn’t have happened,” said Coach Todd Yelton following the tournament loss. “So, do I wish we would’ve got sent someplace else? I do. But am I thankful that we got to do this against a team that, I think, is really very, very talented… Yeah, I’m thankful for that.” Looking forward to next season, the goal is to improve even further. “If you look at us historically, I think we’re right around being a top 50 program in the country,” said Yelton. “I think with kids that are coming here, the next stepforusistobeatop30team. And I know this group will do the things that are necessary in the off-season, put in the sweat that it takes to do that.”
Staff Reporter
