As we approach the final days of 2025, it’s a time where we will also reflect on some of the top storylines in Florida State athletics.
We’ve seen a national championship (soccer), a prominent coaching hire (Luke Loucks), success on the diamond in advancing to the Super Regionals (baseball and softball), a stunning win over Alabama (football), an ACC record holder on the track (Micahi Danzy) and individual performances on the course (Luke Clanton, Mirabel Ting and Lottie Woad) that caught national attention.
Yes, there was disappointment. There were performances that fell flat (FSU football after a 3-0 start) and fell short (FSU softball in the seventh inning of the ACC Tournament title game).
There was also a major settlement in the FSU-ACC lawsuit, one which brought resolution to the legal tennis match between the school and the league. Ultimately, FSU spent approximately $5 million in legal fees to learn when it could exit the league and what the penalties would be.
There was also heartbreak. We lost two men in a shooting at FSU’s student union in May: Robert Morales, 57, and Tiru Chabba, 45. Morales worked as the Dining Coordinator at Florida State. Chabba worked for Aramark Services.
And we prayed for the recovery of Ethan Pritchard, an FSU freshman who was shot a day after the Alabama game when he was taking his aunt and a 3-year-old back to their apartment in Havana, Fla. Pritchard returned to FSU’s campus the day before a mid-November game against Virginia Tech. His father, Earl, said Ethan is on track to walk again, attend classes at FSU in January and play football in 2026.
Today we take a look back at five storylines or moments in FSU women’s athletics in 2025. (For the record, we’re just listing five and not ranking them.) We took a look back at five men’s storylines earlier in the week.
Five-star goalkeeping, FSU's fifth title
FSU didn't look like a national championship contender in October, but it was a brutal schedule of ACC games that challenged the Seminoles and helped prepare them for a fifth title. It was that stretch - a loss at Notre Dame, a home loss to Stanford, a home tie to California and a win at Virginia - that helped make FSU battle-tested.
And, yes, a goalkeeper shift to Kate Ockene made all the difference. The freshman didn't allow a goal in the College Cup and was impressive from the start against high-scoring Stanford in the Seminoles’ 1-0 championship victory. Coach Brian Pensky won his second title in four seasons at FSU, and the program now has five championships since 2014.
Alameda’s cancer battle
FSU softball coach Lonni Alameda went public with her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on March 31. Alameda soon felt a warm embrace from across the FSU community and college softball.
"I am so thankful for the medical care from everyone at TMH," Alameda said. "Cancer is a difficult diagnosis to hear, but I've been encouraged by the progress so far in my treatment. I've experienced an overwhelming outpouring of support from so many people, and I am so thankful for their uplifting messages. My doctors and I are confident in the plan ahead of us to overcome this challenge."
Alameda approached each day with positivity, regardless of whether it was a good day or a bad one. And everywhere they went on the softball field, there were pink ponytail decals on helmets to remind Alameda of the support ACC teams and other competitors had for her as well as others in their cancer fight.
FSU made a run to the Super Regional, with Alameda coaching every game. The Seminoles lost to Texas Tech in two games (the Red Raiders were the national runner-up).
FSU women's basketball earns a No. 6 seed
Florida State was rewarded for a 23-8 mark with a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament in March. Led by two of the best to wear the uniform in guard Ta'Niya Latson and forward Makayla Timpson, the Seminoles played at a fast pace and were fun to watch with stars who could score in the post, drive the lane and shoot 3-pointers. Latson averaged a remarkable 25.2 points.
The Seminoles won their first-round game before falling to LSU in the second round of the Spokane Regional in Baton Rouge, La. With Latson now at South Carolina, the 2025-26 Seminoles are 5-9 at the holiday break.
A stunning season for women's golf
It's tough to pick just one storyline or moment in a season full of them for the FSU women's golf team. Where to start? FSU captured the ACC title on April 19, the program's first in the conference. And the Seminoles won the Lexington Regional in May.
Mirabel Ting was named the ACC's golfer of the year, and Amy Bond was the coach of the year. It was the first of many accolades for Ting, who earned the Annika Award as the nation's top golfer, Ping's player of the year award and Gulfweed's national player of the year. Lottie Woad was also a first-team All-ACC selection and a consensus All-American pick.
Lacrosse takes first steps toward inaugural season
The FSU lacrosse season has been quietly working, holding practices and going to class, while preparing for its first game on Feb. 7, 2026, against Stetson. It will be the first of eight home games for the program at a new lacrosse-only stadium.
Gabby Cleveland, who has been practicing with the team, became the lacrosse program's first graduate and is pursuing a master's degree in 2026. FSU coach Sara Tisdale has gradually assembled a coaching staff and added four transfers in December, including All-Big East selection Lola Mancuso.
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