CORAL GABLES, Fla. – In soccer, one shot can often be the difference in winning and losing. Throughout the match, No. 9 Florida State (12-4-2, 5-4-1 ACC) controlled possession, as well as the offensive production, and led Miami (6-9-3, 3-6-1 ACC) in shots (25-0) and shots on goal (7-0), prior to a 97th minute header by Miami’s Mallory Olsson that bounced into the net to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 victory in overtime.
The loss to close out the regular season gave FSU 16 points in the conference standings, good for seventh place. The Seminoles will advance to the ACC quarterfinal round to play No. 2-seed Duke at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28.
“I thought that Miami played a great game,” said FSU head coach Mark Krikorian. “They had a very good game plan, a great effort from their team, committed to their plan and scored the goal at the end to win it. We’ll have to be better and move on.”
It was a tight midfield battle in the first half, but the Seminoles held the majority of the ball and eventually broke down the Miami defense for nine shots in the opening 45 minutes, but could not find the back of the net.
The first quality chance for Florida State came in the 20th minute as Jaelin Howell found Deyna Castellanos at the top of the box and the junior forward dribbled in for a shot from 15 yards. Her shot required an impressive save by Miami’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce to keep the match scoreless.
Castellanos received a pass near the penalty spot in the 33rd minute from Kaycie Tillman, but the shot was blocked by the Miami defense.
A pair of opportunities late in the first half were close for FSU, but not close enough asGabby Carle passed to Megan Connolly on a run in the box and her redirection shot was blocked and skipped just over the goal for a corner. On the ensuing corner, the ball came out to Olivia Bergau at the top of the box, and her shot from 20 yards went off the crossbar. It marked the ninth time this season that the Seminoles have hit the crossbar with a shot.
Coming out of halftime, the Seminoles earned a shot from Gloriana Villalobos that was wide in the 46th minute and a shot by Castellanos that was blocked away for a corner in the 48th minute.
Dallas Dorosy came off the bench in the 62nd minute and provided a spark to the offense, collecting a pass in the six-yard box from Carle at 69:25, chipping the ball up and then heading it at the goal, but it was saved by Miami’s goalkeeper.
Shortly after, Castellanos took a shot from the top of the box in the 72nd minute that was blocked, but Carle collected the rebound and sent a low shot to the far post that Tullis-Joyce dove to keep out of the net.
Megan Connolly gave the Noles a strong chance in the 81st minute, passing a cross through the penalty box that looked similar to her assist on Sunday at Virginia, but Carle’s shot on the other end was blocked.
Dorosy nearly gave the Noles the victory in the final minute of regulation as Anna Pattensent a long ball from near midfield toward the penalty spot and Dorosy put a great header on it, but a diving save by UM’s Tullis Joyce forced overtime.
Castellanos was able to take a shot in the 91st minute for the Noles and following FSU’s 11th corner of the match, Malia Berkely’s shot at 94:05 was saved.
Miami ended the game with a counterattack down the right side and a cross in from Bayleigh Chaviers found Olsson for the game-winning header.
Throughout 2018-19, the Seminoles will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of women’s intercollegiate athletics at Florida State and there are many events and reunions planned for all women’s sports. Head to www.seminoles.com/50th/ for more information that will be updated throughout the year.
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