FSU Pounds Clemson 5-1

The Seminoles score four second half goals in defeating the Tigers on the road.

10/15/09

CLEMSON, S.C. – Ninth-ranked Florida State (11-2-1, 4-1-1 ACC) got back in the win column Thursday night with a 5-1 road victory over Clemson (3-11-0, 0-6-0 ACC) at historic Riggs Field. FSU’s Tiffany McCarty led the offensive attack with a career-high six points on two goals and two assists, while Jessica Price tied a career-high with two goals.



The Seminoles recorded their fourth straight victory over the Tigers and third straight on Clemson’s home turf. With the win, FSU extended its unbeaten streak in the series to 11 (9-0-2) in a row.



“It was a solid road victory in the ACC,” said head coach Mark Krikorian. “No games are easy in the ACC and to come to Clemson during the mid-week and leave with three points is what we needed. It was a good, solid performance by our team tonight.”



After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, Florida State erupted with four second half goals en route to a four-goal victory. The five goals were the most scored by the Seminoles in the series.



“I thought in the first half we were a little causal with our attacking,” explained Krikorian. “But in the second half, we came out with a little more intensity and played a whole lot quicker. As we varied our attack and played a little more possession, it was effective as the second half progressed.”



Florida State snapped its scoreless streak just three minutes and 31 seconds into Thursday night’s contest against Clemson as McCarty found the back of the net for the first of her two goals on the evening. McCarty ran on to a pass from Amanda DaCosta down the right side of the pitch in the Tigers’ offensive third. The sophomore forward beat a Clemson defender to the end line before making a run back into the box. After a nice move around Tiger keeper Paula Pritzen, McCarty chipped the ball into a wide open net from 12 yards out for the first goal of the game.



The goal marked the first for the Seminoles since Price scored in the 78th minute against Miami back on October 4. With 11 goals on the year, McCarty tied her goal output from her freshman campaign.



Price was denied a goal in the 11th minute on a nice diving save by Pritzen. Toni Pressley sent a chip pass into the box where Price put a header on goal.



Clemson threatened to tie the game at one in the 16th minute but was denied on an outstanding diving save by Seminole goalkeeper Erin McNulty. Samantha Fortier sent a blast from the top of the box but McNulty was there to save the shot near the left post.



McNulty kept the Tigers off the scoreboard in the 23rd minute saving a shot from about 22 yards out off the foot of Molly Franklin.



In the 33rd minute, a sliding shot by Price from close range on a cross from Pressley went just wide of the net.



The Seminoles finished the first half out shooting the Tigers 7-4, while both schools registered one corner a piece. Price and DaCosta led the Garnet and Gold with two shots each.



Florida State added to its lead right out of gates to start the second half as Price put away a loose ball from right in front of the net in the 48th minute. McCarty generated the scoring threat making a nice move around Pritzen. After collecting the ball, the Laurel, Md., native sent a shot on goal but it was saved on the line by a Clemson defender. With the ball sitting just outside the goal line, Price out ran the competition to the ball knocking it over the line for her ninth goal of the season.



“It was good to score some goals tonight,” said Price. “I really have to give credit to Tiff for both my goals tonight. She did all the work and I just happened to be there at the right time to put away a few goals.”



Florida State increased its lead to 3-0 in the 54th minute off a Seminole corner. The ball came flying out of the box right to Ines Jaurena who one-timed a shot from the top of the 18 for her third goal of the season.



Price and McCarty hooked up for the second time Thursday night to increase the Seminole lead to 4-0. In the 61st minute, McCarty once again found Price for her second goal of the game. It marked the third multi-goal game of the season for Price, while the second assist from McCarty tied a career-high set back on November 2, 2008 at NC State.



McCarty picked up her second goal of the game in the 70th minute to give the Seminoles a 5-0 lead. On a pass from Tori Huster, McCarty took a couple dribbles down the right side of the pitch before slipping a shot under a diving Pritzen and inside the left post for the goal.



Clemson answered with its first goal of the game just 38 seconds later to cut the Seminole lead to 5-1. Maddy Elder one-timed a shot from 10 yards out off a cross from Fortier to notch her team leading 10th goal of the season. Katie Vogel was also credited with an assist on the play.



Florida State out shot Clemson 15-7, while the Seminoles held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. McNulty played all 90 minutes between the posts to earn the victory. The redshirt sophomore finished the game with four saves.



Florida State returns to Tallahassee for the final two home games of the regular season as the Seminoles face nationally ranked North Carolina on Thursday, October 22 and NC State on Sunday, October 25. The Seminoles are asking fans to help ‘Black Out’ the Soccer Complex against the Tar Heels as the first 1,000 fans will receive a ‘Black Out’ t-shirt courtesy of Hungry Howie’s. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m., while the match will air live on Fox Sports Florida. Live stats will be available for the match via gametracker.