Noles Open Spring Campaign Undefeated

2/27/10

The Seminole will next face defending WPS champions Sky Blue FC at home on March 17.

By: Kimmy Diaz, FSU Sports Information Assistant

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State Women’s Soccer team traveled to Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday to open its spring season with two games against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Georgia Bulldogs. The Garnet and Gold came out victorious in both competitions winning 3-2 and 1-0, respectively.

FSU started off the day with a game against the Cornhuskers and a trio of first half goals gave the Noles the edge they needed. The first goal of the day came off a penalty kick from sophomore Tori Huster. With Susana Zorn making a run forward from the backline, a Nebraska defender took the ball away on a slide tackle but the Cornhusker defender grabbed the ball in the box, resulting in a PK for FSU. Huster stepped up and placed the shot low to the right corner for the goal.

Newcomer Janice Cayman struck next for the Garnet and Gold off a cross from another newcomer Katya Gokhman. Gokhman crossed the ball in from the sideline, the ball rebounded off the top of the crossbar where Cayman was able to gather the rebound and shoot low into the far corner to put the Seminoles up 2-0.

The third goal of the day came from last year’s leading scorer Jessica Price. On a corner kick from freshman Tiana Brockway, Ella Stephan fired a shot on goal with Gokhman inside the box to challenge the Nebraska keeper for the ball. As the ball popped back up, Price got a hold of it to head in the back of the net for a 3-0 Seminole advantage.

Both of Nebraska’s goals came in the second half. The first came when a Nebraska attacker slipped into the box and put the ball just under FSU keeper Kimmy Diaz. The Cornhuskers’ second goal came after the ball was lost in the Seminole half of the field and a Nebraska forward was able to get a shot inside the 18-yard box finding the upper corner for the goal.

After a brief 20 minute break, the Seminoles turned right around to face Georgia. FSU had to fight hard against a fresher Georgia team but came out on top with a 1-0 win. Much of the game was evenly matched as both teams had their chances through the course of play. Neither team was able capitalize on their chances until the last minute of the match when the Seminoles broke the scoreless tie. Brockway was able to connect with fellow center back Stephan off a corner kick. Brockway sent in a great ball, and Stephan was able to get above the crowd and head it home, to put FSU up 1-0. Just moments later the final whistle blew and the Seminoles came away with their second win of the day.

The Seminoles will be back in action when they return home on March 17 to face the first of two WPS opponents, in New York/New Jersey Sky Blue. Sky Blue FC captured the WPS crown in 2009 and is under the direction of former Seminole assistant Paulina Miettinen, who takes over as head coach in her first season. The game is set to take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Seminole Soccer complex.

For further updates on Florida State spring soccer action in 2010, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to www.seminoles.com.