Yamaguchi Leaves FSU To Turn Pro

Florida State University and head coach Mark Krikorian has announced that junior forward Mami Yamaguchi will forgo her senior season to pursue a professional soccer career.

Yamaguchi, the 2007 Hermann Trophy winner, has signed a contract to play with Umea IK of the All-Swedish League. Umea IK is a member of UEFA, the Union of European Football Association. Umea IK captured the UEFA Women’s Cup in -to-back seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

“We are thrilled for Mami,” stated Krikorian. “It has been a goal and dream hers to be a professional soccer player. In a way, I hope that Florida University has contributed to her success.”

Yamaguchi led the country in points (66) in 2007, while finishing second in goals (24) and assists (18). The Tokyo, Japan native was recognized as the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and was a consensus first-team All-American.

The junior forward played a vital role in leading the Seminoles to the national championship game for the first time in school history. In the 2007 Tournament, she paced the Seminoles with three goals and eight assists. Her eight assists rank as both a single-season and an all-time postseason school record.

Following a record-breaking season for Yamaguchi, she ranked first all-time in career assists with 30 and sits second in points (94) and goals (32). She began the season registering a point in her first 10 games, while setting the school record by scoring at least one goal in seven consecutive games. Yamaguchi registered a point in 22 of 27 games for the Seminoles in 2007.