text:
Garth Brooks Fans Deserve Explanation For Endless "Fun" Delays
Trigger Random Notes 67 Comments
There are those highly-anticipated albums that are hinted at for years by artists or labels, yet it seems like it takes forever for them to ever see the light of day. Then there are albums that receive an initial release date, and for whatever reason, keep getting pushed back due to production or manufacturing issues before actually being released.
And then there's the very curious case of Garth Brooks and his latest album simply entitled Fun.
Garth's latest studio album was put up for pre-order as part of his exclusive distribution deal with Amazon nearly 19 months ago, on June 19th, 2018 to be exact. When the album was posted for pre-order, a lead single was also released called "All Day Long," as well as a B-side called "The Road I'm On." Aside from these two tracks, fans had no further details on the album, not even the name, let alone hints on the style, the scope, a cover, or a track list for the record to peruse over. And if you wanted to receive both of the new Garth songs, you had no choice but to pre-order the record through Amazon.
And so many people did, expecting to get the new record in the coming months. After all, this was Garth, and Amazon—not some fly-by-night up-and-comer with a crowdfunding campaign. But the final six months of 2018 passed without a word of when then new record fans had already pre-ordered would be released. It wasn't even until January 21st, 2019—over six months later—that Garth finally revealed the title of the new record as Fun, saying about the album via Facebook live:
"It's just a fun album. It's just fun. That's all it's gonna be. It's just been a fun thing to go through, a fun process to go through, especially being off from touring, where you don't have to worry about if your voice is going to be able to go in for sessions or not; you just get to go in anytime you want. This has been a fun experience. We're going to wrap it up probably this week. Maybe one more session after this week, but I think this is going to be it for us as far as cutting stuff. It should be out probably sometime this spring."
"Sometime this spring" meant the spring of 2019, not the spring of 2020. This was the promise of Garth Brooks nearly a year ago, and again, six months after people had already pre-ordered the record.
A couple of other things have also happened since Fun was initially announced. On August 27th, 2018—some two months after he announced the new studio album—Garth released a live album called Triple Live. He also released another single called "Stronger Than Me," which he debuted on the 2018 CMA Awards in November as a tribute to his wife Trisha Yearwood. It was later added as one of the songs fans received as part of the Amazon pre-order.
On June 18th, 2019, Garth released another new single called "Dive Bar" with Blake Shelton. June 18th was the day before the year anniversary of when Garth first announced the new album and put it up for pre-order. Initially, "Dive Bar" was served to radio, but not added to the Fun pre-order tracks, meaning folks who already paid for the album couldn't even hear it. It wasn't added until nearly a month later, on July 15th, but only after much grumbling from fans.
The case of Garth Brooks and Fun is beginning to raise ethical concerns of just how long an artist can string out their fans and the good faith of a pre-order until goods are delivered. People forked over money for a record they didn't even have the finished details or track list for, and going on two years later, there still is no album, no official release date or track list, and no formal explanation from the Garth camp for the prolonged delays. The last major update Garth gave, Fun was supposed to be released 9 months ago.
All three of the top-rated reviews of Fun on the Amazon pre-order are highly critical of what has been happening with the record. "Once again Garth calls upon his fans to pre-order an album……with no real release date. Remember the last time it happened, when he had the nerve to not only ask for a pre-order of one album – but the album AFTER that as well. All in order to bundle it up with catalog albums, to stroke the ego and boost those sales numbers," reads the top verified review posted back on November 1st, 2018.
The second verified review posted initially on November 4th reads, "The 2 available songs are great. Unfortunately the original release date has come & gone. So far I've paid $10 for 2 songs. When's the rest coming? Follow-up: It's now Feb 2019 and only 2 more songs added. If I had known this is a long time project I wouldn't have ordered this. Love Garth & his music, really wondering about marketing."
The third verified review posted on July 13th reads, "Alright, I 'Preorded' this over a year ago now. I got a notification from Google about two months ago that it was released, nothing has been added here, his new song Dive Bar with Blake Shelton has been released to radio. Where is that song?! I payed hard earned money that I could've spent in an actual Dive Bar and gotten my monies worth. It hasn't been added to my playlist. Furthermore, where is my album? Fun? More like agony."
If we're to believe what Garth Brooks told fans on Facebook Live on January 21st, 2019, the record has basically been finished for nearly a year. The theory for the continued delays is that Garth Brooks is hoping to develop the singles for the record and get the pre-orders to a certain level before officially releasing it. The first single "All Day Long" peaked on country radio in 2018 at #11—not bad for a 57-year-old artist who already retired once. But the second single "Stronger Than Me" stalled out at #42, despite Garth's big buildup for the song, and his marquee performance of it on the 2018 CMA Awards.
Garth's current single "Dive Bar" is doing well, currently sitting at #14 on radio according to MediaBase. He's been aggressively promoting the single, including playing pop up dive bar performances across the country, with tickets exclusively available through local radio stations.
There's a good chance Garth Brooks will announce a formal release date and more details for Fun in the coming weeks, and there's little to no chance Gareth and Amazon will eventually stiff fans who pre-ordered the record. But we're well past the time when the album was initially promised, money was forked over by fans, and an album should have been delivered. Whether it's part of some marketing scheme by Garth Brooks to drive pre-orders and optimized sales—a practice he's known for—or some honest issue with the production or manufacturing of the record, fans are owed a formal explanation from Garth about what has taken so long, no matter when Fun is eventually released.
Blake Shelton, Fun, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood
I personally think it got pushed back due to his vinyl box set release. That was announced in Feb 2019 and didn't come out until nov. 2019. I think he is going to do a vinyl box set vol. 2 and include the rest of his studio albums he left out on vol. 1 and include Fun in vol. 2. Just my prediction.
I saw an interview with Garth where he actually said the vinyl set was the reason he didn't release the record in 2019
Sounds like such a greedy bas*ard, move.
Devisive, shifty, spineless.
Yes, that is exactly what Garth himself said was the reason. Anyone who listens to inside studio G knows that.
LimaOhio09
None of that makes any sense to those not drinking the kool aid….,
A.K.A. City
Usually when Amazon does a pre-order, customers' cards are not charged until an item is shipped. I'm not sure how it works in the digital world, as the link is for the mp3 album, but per North American card association rules, a consumer can charge back an item if it is not received within seven days of the charge date. Regardless, Amazon should offer a refund for anyone who wants it. However, this is really seems to be on Brooks' camp on not delivering a product after a year and a half.
Good point on the chargeback, but I wonder how the fact that they do have five songs will affect that. I don't see that it says how many songs the album is supposed to include.
I can't believe that 79% of reviewers have given it 5 stars.
Yes, the fact that you got two songs upon purchase is the reason people paid for "Fun" (even before they knew the title). It was the only way you could get the song "The Road I'm On," which incentivized people to pre-order. And since you received early tracks, basically you've committed to the purchase. I'm not sure what Amazon's refund policy would be in this instance, but it's not like backing out of a pre-order where you haven't received anything. Otherwise, customers could have pre-ordered the album, downloaded the two songs, and then requested a full refund. And trust me, Garth would never allow that to happen.
Thanks for clarifying. A customer could dispute with their credit card company and probably win, but it seems that Amazon wouldn't back out of it. Wow. That's just a rough deal. I had to back out of a project that Pledge held my money on for over two years without any progress (we now know the story with them), but this is a different ball of wax.
hoptowntiger94
Even digital albums that are pre-sale, I thought you weren't charged the whole amount until the album was released. Maybe that was just iTunes?
As someone who had the misfortune of preordering this almost 2 years ago when the preorder was announced, I can firmly confirm that my credit card was charged $10
It will be out as soon as he finishes the Chris Gaines movie.
Daniel Cooper
While the pre-order issue isn't relevant, I've noticed the same issue with Chris Young's new album Raised on Country. He toured behind the song last year, told everyone that's the name of the record, and subsequently released two additional songs from the album. Chris has gone on record I believe as saying the album is finished. So where is it?
Albums get delayed all the time. The Chris Young situation is a good example. Hey, things happen. Production issues get in the way, perhaps you delay a record because you found a really good song you want to include on it, or you want it to coincide with a tour. But taking people's money and making them wait 19 months and counting without even a cover or track list I believe is pretty unprecedented.
I have no way of knowing, but this sounds more like run of the mill label issues.
They are really milking Dive Bar, it's been in the top 20 for a few months now… You can tell Team Garth wants it to be the big single to launch the new album… Maybe if it peaks in the the top 10, then we'll get an official album release date!!! Garth is still "old school" when it comes to album marketing …
Non-Garth fans deserve an explanation as to why there are Garth fans.
He's a great singer with some wonderful songs. I love traditional country and Garth is certainly one of the best there is. Just wondering who are some artists that you are a fan of?
Fair enough. Of course I am being a bit facetious. I do like some songs but overall had never been enthralled by him as others have been.
I am a fan of my time as I am sure everyone else is. Some of my artists (in that time-frame) are Travis Tritt, Don Williams, Marty Stuart, Tracy Lawrence, Tracy Byrd, Sammy Kershaw, Alabama, Mark Chestnut, John Conlee, Dwight Yoakam, Deana Carter, Emmylou Harris, etc. Of course, the classics such as George Strait, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Hank Jr, Alan Jackson, Buck Owens, Connie Smith, and especially Waylon Jennings.
I am a sucker for southern rock such as Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Marshal Tucker, etc. I also love progressive bluegrass.
I despise the Nashville Sound era. There were great singers of that. But I just didn't like them.
For modern artists, I am still deciding on that. I like some of Stapleton's stuff that is not too bluesy, but the key is I am finding myself not being a fan of any modern artist, but being a fan of possibly a particular song. That is the difference between now and then. For example, Morgan Wallen's "Cover Me Up" cover is fantastic and better than the original to my ears. His "Whiskey Glasses" is tolerable. His other stuff, not so much. So I am not a fan of him but a song of his. And this opens up another point. In this homogeneous era, that is possibly why the albums are going away and we are seeing more single-driven approaches. I like a song but not necessarily the whole body of an artist's work. And Garth would be in that category.
Well, you asked for it. Not a comprehensive list but gives you an idea. Just my personal taste and thoughts.
I appreciate your response! I like most of all the singers you mentioned above and I'm still in high school. 70s-90s country is the best kinda music around. I agree it's harder to find great pure country these days, but I do like select music of Cody Jinks, Jon Pardi, Wynn Williams, Chris Stapleton, and Midland. I don't think real country music will ever go out of style. George Strait, Alabama, Waylon, Mark Chesnutt, Alan Jackson, and Merle Haggard are among a few of my person all time favorites.
Matt F.
It's ironic that someone named Wayne is poo-poohing Garth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2uy-EW2Dmc
Ha Ha. That's John Wayne pilgrim.
This is why I don't preorder albums.
Really soon, there won't be anything to preorder. I just read the Brent Cobb re-release is streaming only. I encountered a few streaming only releases last year, I expect that number to jump the next couple years.
Normal Street
Brent Cobb has the re-release on both CD and vinyl on his website available for pre-order.
Ok. That's good to know. I went back to the article and it was Cobb's quote, "..which is why I wanted to re-release it on all streaming platforms" and the author's, "… since many of Brent's current fans may not be familiar with the record, he's now going to re-release it via all the streaming platforms on February 7th" which made me think streaming only. But Cobb does say something is available for pre-order.
https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2020/01/06/brent-cobb-to-re-release-debut-album-no-place-left-to-leave/?fbclid=IwAR1SUCI1Y9MSD4zovTsWjireA4t6bCCelPElmc6_DUYoQfTZw0Fz2Fdg7kw
Maybe these younger guys just speak in terms of streaming.
One thing I will never understand about Garth is his marketing. The only reason he's had success in that department is because of his diehard fans. They (and I include myself in that) have paid for the same music over and over again. I didn't grow up buying Garth's music, so I've bought the Target box set from 2016 and the vinyl set this year. I'm ok with that because prior to that, the only time I listened to Garth was on the radio or in a bar. Plus with the Target set, I got the new album. Sketchy still, but it's whatever. I also really like having records on vinyl.
I think you nailed it on the reason. Simple answer is he's trying to build up steam through radio for the release and it's taking forever. Rightfully so, since his new music isn't that great. Just wonder how long it's going to take because when he's ready, you know he's going to market this as a comeback of some sorts. I can see it play on TV ads now, "GARTH BROOKS FIRST NEW ALBUM IN OVER FOUR YEARS….FUN". All I have to say to all of this is yuck, it seems all about the money and not about the music.
Acca Dacca
I agree. And I'll even up the ante by saying that Garth Brooks is the ONLY artist that I've been actively embarrassed to stand in line and buy music from at any store. I like his music quite a lot, but the transparent money-grabbing makes me feel like an all day sucker, even when it's something "new."
Convict charlie
Other artists don't have the ability since they don't own their music rights. That's why it's an option for him. Many independent artists touted on here do through self releasing or on thirty Tigers records.
Garth Brooks is the most overrated artist in the history of country music. His voice is just bad, and he seems to be quite the turd in general.
Conrad Fisher
I don't think he's a turd. He's really intense and the whole fake sincerity thing is strange sometimes but he seems like a classy guy. Ever notice how he never cuts more than six of his own songs on a record? He knows he can't out write the town. I'm not a die hard fan of Garth's music (although I like some of the songs) but I am a big fan of his organization. He is only behind the Beatles in pure album sales numbers, and could pass them up in the years to come, since he's only been selling records since the nineties.
How is his use of songwriters not part of his colossal money grab? Do you not think if his Garthness could make more money off his own songs that he would do that instead?
Wake up Uh-merica!
Nothing about any popular entertainer is legitimate any more, Garth included. It is all twisted and skewed by the big publicity machine. If they seem all sincere and folksy, then that's the direction in the promo plan. You'd do well to remember that.
And don't even compare Garth's legacy to the Beatles, who brought us All You Need is Love. The symbol of Garth's career is a collapsed country music cow sucked by the teats into a giant GarthCo brand milking machine adorned with immense dollar signs.
There is nothing "pure" about Garth's album sales numbers. Releasing multiple-disc sets of material that would all fit on one disc so he gets credit for multiple sales, re-releasing his first six albums as a six-disc box set with one new song on each, releasing the same album with four different covers knowing that diehard fans will buy one of each, plus the multiple anthologies, lambasting his fans for buying and selling used copies of his CDs, and keeping his music from any source that might keep someone from needing to buy an album are all calculated moves to pad his sales numbers. I'm sure the delayed release of this album is part of the scheme as well.
Of course it's a calculated move to make more money. That's the genius of it. Historically, Garth has tried to cut the best songs instead of cutting only his stuff to earn writer's royalties. That's not very common way to go. I can't speak for his recent material because I've not heard it.
I'm not crazy enough to compare his influence on modern music to that of the Beatles, but his sales are still impressive. Everyone pulls stunts like that to pad album sales.
I'm not a crazy Garth fan. My only point is that the career he has achieved with the talent he has is unbelievable, and should be pointed out as remarkable. Folks in Nashville still love Garth, Allen Reynolds, Mark Miller, and Bob Doyle. After all these years, that's saying something. They are honest, hard working, and built a really tight ship.
There's a lot that I agree with here. I'm not really a Garth fan, but I have no small amount of respect for him and he does have some songs that I really like. And anytime I'm in a situation where I have to listen to terrestrial country radio (which is not often anymore), a Garth song is something to hope for. I was a last minute fill in for a Garth concert about 5 years ago (someone couldn't make it and the ticket fell to me) and came away impressed with his organization and with him as a performer and as someone who really made an effort to make his fans feel appreciated.
Corncaster
"Fun"? What a stupid name for a record. And I guess it's his fun, above all others. This is what Garth does, preen and swan around like grandma's favorite circus clown. Yeah, "Friends in Low Places," but Garth didn't write it. And now he's stringing along his fans. Knock me over with a feather. Garth is reported to be a "nice guy," but why does all this fake sh*t keep sticking to his brand?
Maybe for a reason.
BigJaker
My guess is it got delayed because the music on it sucks.
I sure wish this site offered a Thanks button and emoji's- I really enjoy the comments.
I could care less about the subject in most cases- this being one of them. I enjoy reading Triggers take on things as well as the comments, many of which deserve a Thanks and many of which I find humorous.
Love the Gus, from Lonesome Dove, picture.
At least i think that's Gus
what a book that was!
Will have to look for the book.
The mini-series was Great!
Since it was about driving cattle, etc., going to tell this stupid story…
While working out in Guymon, Oklahoma, we none locals would escape to Amarillo, or Albuquerque, wherever, on the weekends.
On one trip, back from Amarillo, saw this Dad longhorn steer, babysitting a calf.
I was all like, wth …
It was so cute!
I pulled over, walked to the fence, took some picture's, etc. (talked to them). And, they mooed back. Hey people – there isn't jack shi*, to do between Amarillo and Guymon.
When got to radiology dept. that next Monday morning, told everyone, with enthusiasm, about the Dad longhorn, etc., etc.
Told them the Mom cow must have been on a girl's day out.
Bob Williams, our radiologist, who owns huge ranching property, sidled over, draped an arm over my shoulder, & proceeded to educate, saying that female cows are born with horns too.
Who knew?! …
Indeed- I've read it so many times I can't remember- and I've watched the movie so many times I know some of the lines by heart- "it ain't dying I'm talking about, it's living!"
The book had a lot more to it than the movie though and rereading it, especially after watching the movie, it's impossible to not see the actors as the characters in the book- funny thing is, Larry McMurtry wrote it to dispel the romantic mystique of cowboys- boy, was that an epic fail or not? LOL
Yes it is- if I could choose a mentor in life it would be Gus!
Ok, now you guys have me wanting to read the book
One more longhorn story, then i'll try to knock it off.
One night, coming back from Amarillo, very late, was scared crapless, when a Longhorn, appeared out of nowhere, and we almost collided.
I was in Blackie, my charcoal metallic Avalanche, & i thought, Great, that horn would have scratched the shi* out of the truck.
The Longhorn had broken fence, and at the time, was wandering the shoulder.
I pulled way over on the shoulder, several yards from the bull, powered my window down & told him to get the he** out of the road.
Traffic was sparse, as it was 1:30 a.m.
I called the Stratford, TX. police department, and told them they had a longhorn on the road.
They assured me they were on the way.
I was really afraid a wreck would happen, & also afraid that the longhorn was going to get hurt.
glendel
if I'm Eric Church, I gather up all my unreleased recordings into say the equivalent of a two CD set, slap a title like "More Fun" on it, find some pic of me and Garth from back in the day to use as an album cover, and get it out into all the usual distribution outlets.
The Offspring threatened to do that with Chinese Democracy.
He also needs to include his college talent show recording of "We Shall Be Free."
maybe josh turner could shed some light on this scenario for us . remember him ?
Along with Gary Allan. Although Josh Turner's gospel album was amazing! If he made another i wouldnt mind at all.
Brett Dale
On Inside Studio G last year, he explained it, he didn't want it to clash with His Legacy boxset, and he hinted at a February 7th 2020, release date.
He also said last year on Inside Studio G that it would be released in the spring of 2019.
If Garth Brooks didn't want the album to clash with his Legacy boxset, why did he set it up for pre-order? Why didn't he move the release of the box set? It's not like Garth doesn't have control over when his respective albums come out.
If the album is going to be released on February 7th, it's very likely we would have seen an announcement by now, or we will see one in the next 24-48 hours. Otherwise, that's very unlikely.
January 10, 2020	@ 11:04 pm
I kinda think Garth will go with Feb 7th on this one. His inside studio G returns around that time, (hes taking January off) The legacy thing seem to come out of the blue, since that is the question he was most asked on his facebook live.
Well I hope it comes out on February 7th anyway. 🙂
in the " nothing to do with anything" dept ..
tonight on the way home from work our local 'country ' station ambushed me .
up until now I've successfully avoided hearing " kinfolk" ( that soon-to-be- 'country'- classic from you know who ) but tonight I got careless ..I guess I was tired and left it on the station before i realized what station i was on ..and suddenly the song was on . I heard a two note melody and knew i was in for some kind of shocker ( most of the other songs on the station's playlist have 3 note melodies ) . sure enough , I finally heard the word ' kinfolk' and began punching wildly at the dash in the dark trying to change stations .
anyway ….i feel a bit ashamed even sharing this but if its happened to you at least now you know you aren't the only one . radio is crafty . one second its the traffic report the next its one of the shittiest songs ever with NO introduction , NO segue , no warning of any kind .
remember when radio used to be your friend ?
sorry …..carry on …..
D Ray White
Maybe he's wrapping up the Chris Gaines comeback album first?
Maybe the studio recordings were on his new iphone and it broke? Like all those hit songs he'd written for his previous album?
Garth had some really great hits 25 years ago, and he put on a kick ass show but he is as far as I can tell a control freak. And his need to control his music to the point it is where you can't stream it only means that I don't buy his crap and surely won't ever hear it because I never listen to radio, and I have Apple Music and Spotify I am not going to pay again for Amazon just to get 4 songs in two years that even if I was on Amazon I could not stream. Garth needs to retire again he's taking up ticket sales that other artists should be getting.
I personally wouldn't fork over $10.00 to a rich dude like Garth, only to get nothing in return. How much money is enough for him?
dave pringle
garth is a phony,,,,, its all about marketing and his ego fuck him
The Original WTF Guy
I could not have said it better myself.
Matt Murphy
Wondering about the style of the new album? As a lifelong George Strait fan, I've never had that problem.
Garth's post-retirement output has been so confusing to me. He doesn't embrace streaming or even digital downloads outside of Amazon (and digital downloads are dying a slow death anyway). What mostly bothers me is his terrible (music) production and graphic design. The cover of Man Against Machine is laughably bad and any of his new music I've heard is terribly mixed. It sounds like he's singing in a big empty room with the band playing in a separate, big empty room. The mix is terrible.
indeed ….I've always found garth's records to be severely lacking in the production department and could never figure why . everyone else in town was making superb-sounding records , it seemed . then I'd listen to a garth mix and wonder if he just didn't listen to other stuff to know how inferior his OWN stuff sounded d. his idol george strait makes some of the BEST sounding albums on the planet . surely garth would listen to george's records ?
What do you mean that digital downloads are dying? I use Apple Music. When I'm on Wifi I download so I won't have to stream when I'm away from Wifi. I thought by doing that, I was conserving my monthly data allotment. Does this just demonstrate my complete ignorance of how all of this works?
jbear123
Given this was the guy that won the EOTY at the CMA's over others who were far more deserving (and actually released new albums) he should get his ass into gear and release something, at least that way when he wins next year he can say he actually deserved it.
When did a delay in the release of a GARTH!!! album become bad news? Isn't less music by this clown something to be celebrated?
Garth Brooks is dragging his heels and delaying the release of an upcoming original album??
Well, imagine my complete and utter SHOCK!!!
I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't figured out after thirty years that something like this is par for the course with this guy.


Bursary Awards will be used to support the registration costs of a selection of academic participants at the eCheminfo workshops. To apply for the bursary please fill out all the required application information.
Submissions for workshop in Oxford should be received prior to 1 August, 2018.
Uncompleted registrations will be disregarded.
Allowed file types: txt rtf pdf doc docx ppt pptx xls xlsx.


The Channel Marker polo was made with comfort in mind. At the club, on the course or under your favorite blazer, this polo hits the mark with soft Pima cotton and stretch fabric. The look is completed with an open sleeve, 3-button placket and full color Skipjack embroidery.
Turn inside out and machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low. Remove promptly.


text:
FSU soccer shuts out South Alabama 2-0 to begin NCAA Tournament
Erika LeFlouria
The Florida State soccer team may have begun their 2019 NCAA tournament journey on a cold night in Tallahassee, but redshirt junior forward Kristen McFarland kept the crowd warm all night.
The Seminoles took care of business and defeated the South Alabama Jaguars, 2-0.
"I have to give South Alabama a lot of credit," FSU head coach Mark Krikorian said afterwards. "They came in here with a very good game plan, good execution. With a little bit more luck, maybe the game would have come a little easier for us."
Despite the unrelenting defense by South Alabama throughout the contest, Florida State scored its first and only goal of the first half early. Four minutes into the game, McFarland scored off an assist by sophomore midfielders Jaelin Howell and Yujie Zhao for her first of two on the night. Florida State ended the first half with eight shots and maintained a steady defense that made it difficult for the Jaguars to create feasible offensive chances.
Florida State's pressure on South Alabama continued immediately in the second half after senior forward Deyna Castellanos kicked a promising shot on goal that was dramatically saved by the Jaguars goalkeeper, Justice Stanford. It then took the Seminoles seven more shots before they landed their second and final goal for the match. McFarland added to her collection on the night with another score by double assists from sophomore midfielders Abbey Newton and Zhao, again.
"Yuji gave me those two perfect balls and I just made sure to finish them," McFarland said. "But I think collectively as a team we did a really good job of capitalizing on those moments and helping me find those scoring opportunities."
For the rest of the night, Castellanos' intensity remained consistent as she finished the game with eight shots. It looked like she would grab a goal for Florida State with the high level of energy she was playing with on the field, but she ended the night scoreless.
"I think I was in pretty good spots to get some goals," said Castellanos. "Unfortunately, I couldn't finish them."
Though the final score may not show it, Florida State's offense was dominant in Saturday's match. Florida State ended the night with 20 shots, nine shots on goal, seven corner kicks and held possession of the ball for 73 percent of the match. On the defensive side of the ball for Florida State, the women held South Alabama to only two shots and just one shot on goal all night.
Florida State entered Saturday nights game looking to bounce back after their 1-2 loss to Virginia in the ACC Tournament Semifinals. Though the women didn't win the ACC, they still grabbed a No. 1 seed for the 2019 NCAA Tournament and began their quest to the National Championship.
"We are going to continue to switch the team and make adjustments according to our opponents and our personnel," Krikorian said. "We are going to evaluate and reevaluate according to the next matchup so that we can find our best rhythm."
With this victory, Florida State has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time in program history. Up next, Florida State will face Brown University on Friday, Nov. 22 at the Seminoles Soccer Complex in Tallahassee, FL.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl