LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Improving to 6-0-0 all-time in the series, the Seminoles earned their first ACC win of the season as No. 23 Florida State (6-2-0, 1-1-0 ACC) topped Louisville (6-4-0, 0-2-0 ACC) by a score of 2-1 on Thursday night at Lynn Stadium.
The win increased head coach Mark Krikorian’s collegiate coaching record to 399-100-32, in his 13th season for FSU after five years at Hartford (1996-2000) as well as six years and two National Championships at Franklin Pierce (1990-1995).
It was the first goal allowed by Florida State in the series with Louisville in 475:19 of match time, dating back to a first-half goal in 2001. The Noles had posted four consecutive shutouts over the Cardinals, including three since Louisville joined the ACC in 2014.
“I thought we really had to grind it out today,” said Krikorian. “There was some good soccer at times, but often it was more about the physical battle and competing. I think both us and Louisville went out and fought a hard fight and a good fight and fortunately for us, we were able to score two goals and win the game.”
The match started off slowly for both teams as it took until the 13th minute for the first shot to come from either team.
The Noles worked to get their first corner of the match as freshman Emily Madril dribbled into the penalty area from the right side and deflected the ball off a UofL defender. The Seminole corner was possessed and ended up on the foot of Gabby Carle on the left side.
The freshman worked around her defender and took a shot near the end line that was unable to be caught by Louisville goalkeeper Gabrielle Kouzelos. The rebound fell right in front of Dallas Dorosy to easily put into the net for her second goal of the season in the 20th minute.
A foul by Louisville’s Gabrielle Vincent on FSU’s Gloriana Villalobos about 30 yards from the goal earned the Cardinal defender a yellow card and set up the second Seminole goal of the night in the 28th minute. Sophomore Deyna Castellanos took the free kick and buried it inside the far post for her ninth goal of the season, extending her ACC lead in the category.
The second half started much like the first, with both teams fighting for chances and not allowing the other to take a shot until the 55th minute.
That would be the only shot taken by either side until Louisville cut the lead to 2-1 in the 70th minute as a Seminole foul just outside the penalty area set up a free kick from 20 yards. Midfielder Emina Ekic drove her shot around the wall and into the net for her third goal of the season.
Castellanos nearly scored her second goal of the game on a corner kick in the 73rd minute, bending the shot up toward the corner of the far post, but it was punched away by UofL’s Kouzelos.
Florida State withstood a significant final push, as Louisville took several free kicks in the Seminole half of the field in the last 10 minutes, as well as a late corner, but the Noles were able to hold on for the 2-1 win.
Overall, Louisville outshot FSU, 10-8, while the Noles had the advantage in corners (4-3) and saves (4-3).
The Seminoles remain on the road and will play at Virginia Tech (6-2-1, 0-1-0 ACC) on Sunday, September 24. The match between the Noles and Hokies will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will air on ACC Network Extra. Admission is free and live stats will be available on Seminoles.com
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