Erin McNulty tied a season-high with five saves as the Seminoles fell to the Cavaliers.

10/30/09

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Third-ranked Florida State (13-3-1, 6-2-1 ACC) could not overcome a late first half goal by Virginia (8-5-4, 3-4-2 ACC) as the Seminoles fell 1-0 to the Cavaliers Friday night on a cool, brisk evening in Charlottesville.

Virginia’s Sinead Farrelly scored the game’s only goal in the 44th minute to keep the Garnet and Gold winless all-time against the Cavaliers in 18 chances. It also marked the fourth time this year the Seminoles were held without a goal.

Tiffany McCarty and Becky Edwards led the Seminoles with a team-high three shots a piece, while keeper Erin McNulty tied a season-high with five saves. Friday night’s 1-0 decision marked the 14th time these two schools played a game decided by a goal or less.

“Credit to Virginia,” said head coach Mark Krikorian. “They held serve and won on their home field. It was a just result on the night. We will have to regroup and get ready for Virginia Tech in a couple of days.”

Rachel Lim recorded the first shot of the game in the third minute of action sending a blast just wide of the left post from outside the 18-yard box. Jessica Price created the offensive attack freeing herself from a Cavalier defender down toward the end line. She then sent a pass back towards the top of the box to a wide open Lim.

On a Seminole throw-in, Price sent a quick pass down the sideline to McCarty who made a nice run inside the attacking third. The Laurel, Md., native got between a pair of Cavalier defenders and sent a bender just wide of the right post.

“I thought we started off very, very well,” added Krikorian. “We came out and had two big chances and probably should have done a little better with at least one of them, maybe both of them. Then the game settled down and I thought Virginia established a good rhythm.”

Virginia’s Meghan Lenczyk recorded the first Cavalier shot of the game sending a shot from about 20 yards toward the left post but McNulty was there for the save.

Farrelly came within inches of scoring the first goal of the game in the 43rd minute as her header off a chip pass from Erica Hollenberg was tipped over the crossbar by McNulty.

On the ensuing corner, the Cavaliers found the back of the net on a goal by Farrelly. The Seminoles were attempting to get the ball out of the zone but the clear went right to Farrelly, who sent a blast from the top of the box just beyond the outstretched arms of McNulty and into the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season.

The Seminoles had one last scoring chance in the half as FSU earned a corner kick in the waning seconds. Lauren Switzer played a quick ball into the box that Marissa Kazbour headed high over the crossbar as time expired.

Virginia outshot Florida State 6-5 in the first half, while the Cavaliers held a 6-2 advantage in corners. McNulty made three saves.

In the 77th minute, Chantel Jones made a nice diving save on a breakaway down the middle of the field by McCarty. Switzer sent a long pass to McCarty who ran on to the ball beating a pair of UVa defenders. With Jones running out to make a play on the ball, McCarty tried to sneak a low shot past the Cavalier keeper but the ball caromed off Jones’ leg and out of harms way.

A minute later Becky Edwards forced Jones into a save on a free kick from 22 yards out following a Virginia foul. The Downingtown, Pa., native would get another chance on a free kick moments later, but her shot sailed high.

“I thought we came out with much more energy in the second half,” explained Krikorian. “It was a solid performance by our group (in the second 45 minutes) as we were willing to take more risks being down a goal. I thought we created enough to maybe get a goal, but we didn’t and we will have to move on.”

Virginia threatened to extend its lead with under five minutes remaining as Jess Rostedt received a nice give-and-go but her point blank shot went right into the arms of McNulty.

The Seminoles finished the game outshooting the Cavaliers 12-11.

Florida State remains in the state of Virginia and will head to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech on Sunday, November 1 at 12:00 p.m. Live stats will be available for the match on Seminoles.com. With a win against the Hokies, the Seminoles will claim the ACC regular season title.