Florida State Falls To Virginia Tech In Penalty Kick Shootout The Seminoles eliminated from the first round of the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2004.

11/5/08

CARY, N.C. – Fifth-ranked Florida State (14-2-3, 8-1-1 ACC) was eliminated from the first round of the ACC Soccer Championship after falling to Virginia Tech (10-7-3, 4-4-2 ACC) 4-2 in penalty kicks Wednesday evening at WakeMed Park. Both teams played to a scoreless tie following 110 minutes of action forcing the game to be decided in a shootout.

In the first round of the shootout, both players successfully converted on their attempts as Virginia Tech’s Stephanie Hylton and Florida State’s Lauren Switzer found the back of the net. In the second round, both goalkeepers came up with a huge save. First it was Kimmy Diaz, who came off the bench to take part in the shootout, making a big diving save to her left off a shot by Jennifer Harvey. Tech’s Kristin Carden followed that with a knee save on a shot by Amanda DaCosta. The Hokies gained the advantage in the third round with Laurie Beth Puglisi connecting on her kick, while Katrin Schmidt ricochet her pk off the right post. Kelly Lynch and Rachel Lim exchanged goals in the fourth round, before the Hokies sealed the victory on a successful attempt by Kim Hickey.

The Seminoles fell to 7-12-5 all-time in the ACC Tournament, while it was the second loss in five penalty kick opportunities in the league tournament. The last time Florida State was eliminated from the first round of the tournament was in 2004 when FSU and Clemson battled to a 0-0 tie before the Tigers won 4-3 in pks.

Florida State held a slight advantage in both shots (14-13) and corners (8-7) in the game as the Seminoles were held without a goal for just the third time this year.

“I think in the end it was justice,” said head coach Mark Krikorian. “I thought Virginia Tech played with much more heart, played with more enthusiasm throughout the game. I thought our kids came in and weren’t able to impose our style of game, which is to get the ball on the ground and pass the ball. We didn’t compete well enough for fifty-fifty balls, while Virginia Tech did.

“You have to credit Virginia Tech for finding a way to move on and advance. We wish them the best of luck for the remainder of the tournament.”

The game was a physical battle throughout with the Hokies committing seven more fouls than FSU. Following the first half of action, Virginia Tech held a 12-5 advantage in fouls while limiting the Seminoles to just three shots.

The best scoring opportunity for either team in the first half came in the first minute of play following a Virginia Tech throw-in. Julian Johnson heaved a throw deep in the Hokies offensive third where Harvey flicked a pass into the box. Emily Jukich put a header on goal, but freshman Tiffany McCarty was there on the far post to kick the ball out of harms way.

In the early portion of the second half, the Seminoles came up with another team save to keep the game deadlocked at zero. Johnson sent a dangerous cross on goal from the right side of the pitch where senior captain Sarah Wagenfuhr came up with the save on the line.

Wagenfuhr came within inches of putting the Seminoles on the board in the 70th minute. Following a near side throw-in by Jessica Price, Toni Pressley headed the ball down inside the box where Wagenfuhr collected the ball and one-timed a windmill kick just wide from about eight yards out.

The Seminoles picked up the offensive intensity in the final 20 minutes of the second half out shooting the Hokies 4-1. The biggest chance came off the leg of Erika Sutton who caromed a shot off the crossbar in the 74th minute.

Just over two minutes later, Price put a header on goal that was saved by a Hokie defender positioned directly in front of the goal.

Neither team could find the back of the net over the final 14 minutes of regulation sending the game into overtime.

The Seminoles registered the first shot in overtime as a header by McCarty sailed wide. Less than four minutes later, the Laurel, Md., once again came up with another huge team save on a header by Brittany Michels. Following a Hokie corner, Michels out jumped the competition for the ball but it was McCarty hugging the left post that got a body on the ball for the save. The ball hung around in the Hokies offensive zone for what seemed like eternity before a foul was called on Virginia Tech to end the threat.

In the second overtime period, Marissa Kazbour had the best scoring for either team as her shot from inside 15 yards was saved by Carden. Sanna Talonen tracked down the rebound and dribbled along the end line blasting a shot off the hands of Carden bringing up a last chance corner for the Seminoles with 30 seconds left in the game. Wagenfuhr’s ball on the corner kick was kicked out of the zone and in a last second effort freshman Ella Stephan sent a shot high over the crossbar.

Carden finished the game with three saves, while FSU’s Kate Milstead registered four.

Florida State will next await word from the NCAA on if they will be part of the 64-team field. The NCAA Women's Soccer Selection Committee will announce the participating teams on Monday, November 10 on ESPNews between 8-8:30 p.m.

NOTE: Senior Katrin Schmidt made her 96th career start on Wednesday becoming the all-time leader in career starts at Florida State. She moved within one game of tying the school mark for all-time appearances at 97 – a record currently held by India Trotter (2003-06).