After Reprimand, College Coach Receives Support From Soccer Peers

Coach Mark Krikorian, left, was reprimanded for leaving home seven starters in the A.C.C. tournament.

By JERÉ LONGMAN
NYT

The Florida State women’s soccer team will play Saturday for a berth in the quarterfinals of the N.C.A.A. tournament, having made a provocative tactical decision that raised intriguing questions about sportsmanship, integrity and the autonomy of a coach to choose a lineup.

To provide rest amid a grueling travel and playing schedule, Coach Mark Krikorian kept seven starters home from the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament earlier this month as he planned for the more important national tournament. Florida State’s athletic director approved the decision.

When Florida State lost its opening A.C.C. match on Nov. 3, conference officials ruled that the Seminoles had compromised the integrity of the tournament. Krikorian was suspended for a game, Florida State was fined $25,000 and the university was denied a $15,000 reimbursement for travel costs.

“F.S.U.’s action is disrespectful to our teams, players, coaches and fans,” John Swofford, the conference commissioner, said in a statement. “It undermines the purity of the competition that a conference championship deserves.”

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