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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University soccer team will play host to its second highest ranked opponent in school history Thursday as the Bulldogs welcome the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles to the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium for a key early-season, non-conference showdown slated to begin at 7 p.m. (CDT). Admission is FREE.
 
Samford (0-2), which owns one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation this season, has already faced two top-notch opponents on the road in Memphis and Alabama. The Bulldogs fell to Memphis on Friday, 3-0, while the Crimson Tide rallied back to defeat Samford, 2-1, on Sunday.
 
Against Alabama, the Bulldogs struck first behind a quick goal from senior Jermaine Seoposenwe in the second minute of action to take a 1-0 lead, but then the Crimson Tide charged back with two first-half goals of its own to rally for a 2-1 non-conference victory held at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.
 
Florida State (2-0), the No. 4-ranked team in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer, enters Thursday's contest riding the positive momentum of wins against UNCG and South Alabama.
 
The Seminoles opened their 2017 campaign Friday at home against UNCG and cruised to a 3-0 victory. Florida State then tallied a key 2-1 win over South Alabama held in Tallahassee, Florida.
 
Thursday's match versus Samford will mark the Seminoles' first road test of the season.
 
Florida State will also be the second-highest ranked team to face the Bulldogs at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium. On Sept. 7, 2014, Samford played host to No. 3 Virginia and dropped a 3-1 decision to the eventual NCAA runner-up. That season, in an all-Atlantic Coast Conference final, Florida State defeated the Cavaliers for its first soccer national championship.
 
Over the years, Samford has also hosted the following nationally-ranked opponents:  No. 15 Duke (2015), No. 23 Auburn (2011), No. 24 Auburn (2016), No. 25 Memphis (2011) and No. 25 Auburn (2009).
 
Last year, Samford and No. 10-ranked Florida State squared off in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament as the Seminoles rallied for a 4-0 victory.
 
Following Thursday's home match against No. 4-ranked Florida State, the Samford University soccer team will next be in action Sunday at 2 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs face the Michigan State Spartans in another huge early-season matchup to be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
 
Admission is FREE for every home regular-season soccer match.
 
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