Jamaican stars Kameron Simmonds, Solai Washington, and Mimi Van Zanten helped power the No. 6 Florida State Seminoles to a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over No. 8 North Carolina in the ACC Tournament Championship on Sunday. With this victory, Florida State claimed its fifth consecutive ACC Tournament title and the 11th in program history, marking an impressive 10 wins in the past 12 years.

 The final was fiercely contested, with North Carolina starting strong and taking the lead with a penalty kick. However, Florida State quickly responded when freshman Taylor Suarez found the net, equalizing with a powerful strike from outside the box. UNC regained the lead with a header just before halftime, putting Florida State on the back foot for the second time in the game.

 Midway through the second half, Florida State surged back. Substitute Ashlyn Puerta was fouled inside the box, leading to a penalty that senior captain Taylor Huff converted with precision, leveling the score at 2-2. Minutes later, freshman Wrianna Hudson secured Florida State's lead with a stunning left-footed half-volley, giving the Seminoles a 3-2 advantage that they held until the final whistle.

 Jamaican Solai Washington earned All-Tournament honours for her standout performance throughout the competition, joining her teammate Huff, who was named Tournament MVP. This win cements the Seminoles’ dominance in the ACC, having defeated North Carolina five times in ACC title matches over the years.

 The Reggae Girlz trio, Simmonds, Washington, and Van Zanten, now look ahead to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament, with the selection show scheduled for Monday, November 11.

 

 

Reggae Girl and Florida State University soccer star Jody Brown celebrated a significant milestone this past weekend as she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities. At just 22 years old, Brown has achieved remarkable success both on the soccer field and in her academic pursuits.

Brown was among 101 student-athletes who graduated from FSU between last Friday and Saturday.

During her time at Florida State, Brown played a pivotal role in securing two National Division 1 Soccer titles in 2021 and 2023, adding to her impressive list of accolades. She was also part of four ACC Division One championship-winning teams in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, highlighting her exceptional talent and contribution to collegiate soccer.

Brown's impact extended beyond the field, as she excelled academically, culminating in her graduation this year. Reflecting on her university experience, Brown took to Instagram to express her gratitude and nostalgia: "Four years of unforgettable memories, lessons, and lifelong friendships. Thank you Florida State University."

Her Instagram post garnered warm congratulations from fellow Reggae Girlz teammates, including Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, Kiki van Zanten, and Tiffany Cameron. Jamaican track and field icon Veronica Campbell Brown, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 200m, also joined in celebrating Brown's achievement.

Brown's journey from representing Jamaica at the age of 16 to competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 and 2023 underscores her dedication and talent both on and off the field. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, Brown's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and scholars alike, demonstrating the power of determination, resilience, and academic excellence in pursuit of one's goals.

 

 

 

 

 

Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girl Jody Brown scored a brace to assist her Florida State University team to another national title after they downed Stanford 5-1 in the NCAA women’s national championship final.

Both teams entered the showpiece contest unbeaten, but at the end, it was Brown and her FSU team that proved to be the best of their lot at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, on Monday night.

Brown scored in the 30th and 62nd minutes, to end her four years with FSU as a two-time national champion, having also played an instrumental role in their 2021 triumph. Jordynn Dudley (29th), Beata Olsson (59th), and Onyi Echegini (85th), got the others, as the top-ranked FSU produced a dominant display that ripped what was considered to be the NCAA’s best defence to shreds.

Maya Doms (52nd) got Standford’s consolation.

After a fairly tentative start by both teams in the early exchanges, the Seminoles asserted some authority and scored twice in a span of 29 seconds to end the first half in the ascendancy. This, as Dudley converted from the penalty spot, before the fleet-footed Brown went on the break and calmly fired home.

Stanford struggled to contain FSU midfield pressure, but they eventually broke the shackles and pulled one back courtesy of Doms’s powerful effort seven minutes after the break.

However, the Pac-12 champions celebrations were short-lived, as the Seminoles two-goal cushion was restored by Olsson, who tucked away an effort before the hour-mark, and later played provider for the diminutive Brown to complete her brace.

That goal basically knocked the wind from the Stanford defenders, and it opened the door for Echegini to finish off a melee and cap the win for FSU.

Former Kingston College standout Jhevaughn Matherson is finally healthy and ready to make a return to form in 2023.

The 24-year-old, now training at the Racers Track Club in Kingston, burst onto the scene all the way back in 2013 when he sped to a smooth then-Class 3 100m record 10.85 to win gold at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium.

His high school career, despite including some bright spots, was plagued by injuries after that 2013.

 In 2019, Matherson moved on to Florida State University (FSU) in the USA and had a decent first season where he reduced his 100m personal best to 10.24. The next three years, however, followed the same pattern as his high school career with several nagging injuries as well as an achilles injury that required surgery.

Now back home, Matherson says he is healthy and working on a comeback.

“Right now, I’m healthy and working hard on the return,” Matherson told SportsMax.TV.

“I expect big things so fans should expect big things as well. I’ve been working really hard so I’m just waiting on the right time to show that work,” he added.

As it relates to his history of injuries, Matherson says that is a thing of the past.

“Definitely!” said Matherson.

“The main issue was strength and I’m working on that. I had an achilles injury that required surgery and I’m completely over that as well,” he added.

Expected to compete in the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix on June 3rd, Matherson also gave his opinion on the state of the men’s 100m in Jamaica at the moment.

“It should be exciting. There is a lot of quality and I expect great things this season and beyond,” he said.

The sprinter, who will graduate from FSU next month, also expressed gratitude for his time abroad.

“Definitely thankful for the lessons learned along the way. I’ve learned a lot about track and field from being overseas and I’ve been able to implement it while making my return home,” he said.

 

 

 

 

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