NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Earning their ninth shutout in 12 games so far in 2018, No. 10 Florida State (9-2-1, 2-2-0 ACC) posted a dominant road win on Thursday night with a 4-0 victory at Notre Dame (5-6-0, 1-2-0 ACC). Four different players scored as the Noles controlled the match from start to finish.
“I thought overall it was a really great game for us,” said FSU head coach Mark Krikorian. “I think that all of us felt that we didn’t play our finest at Boston College and everyone wanted to come out and do their best today. I think from start to finish that it was a good, solid performance, both on the attacking side and the defending side. It is not easy to win on the road in the ACC and we will feel good coming out of here with three points and without injury.”
Florida State dominated the first half against the Irish and recorded 10 shots with seven on goal and two of the crossbar in the opening 45 minutes.
Natalia Kuikka and Deyna Castellanos combined for a nice run through the middle of the field in the third minute and Kuikka’s shot from 15 yards was saved away for a corner by ND goalkeeper Mattie Interian.
Castellanos helped create the game’s first scoring chance, sending a long ball down the right for Yujie Zhao. The freshman collected the ball on the endline and crossed it back for Kaycie Tillman to finish in the six-yard box for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
Eleven minutes later, Castellanos scored her fifth goal of the season as Anna Patten cross from the right came out to the junior at the top of the box for her to line a left-footed shot into the net for a 2-0 Seminole lead in the 24th minute.
Notre Dame had a pair of opportunities in the middle of the first half, with a shot from Sammi Fisher that was saved by FSU’s Brooke Bollinger in the 29th minute, as well as a shot by Jen Westendorf in the 31st minute that went off the crossbar.
Patten put a shot of her own off the crossbar in the 43rd minute after working into the box on the right. The ball bounced down after hitting the bar and narrowly stayed on the field side of the line.
The Seminoles continued their pressure in the second half and maintained the majority of possession. Florida State did not allow a shot to Notre Dame over the final 59:16 in the shutout victory.
Castellanos chipped a ball toward Kristen McFarland in the 65th minute, but it bounced short of her teammate. A Notre Dame defender attempted to head the ball back to its keeper, but did not get enough pace on it. McFarland aggressively followed the play and got to the ball first to poke it into the net for a 3-0 lead.
Megan Connolly came on as a late substitute in the 85th minute and immediately made an impact. She entered to take a corner kick and the service went into the six-yard box for Anna Patten. The sophomore headed the ball down, but it bounced off the post and was cleared away.
As play continued, Tillman drove into the penalty box less than a minute later and played the ball out to Connolly on the right. The senior buried the shot into the net for a 4-0 lead at 85:32.
Florida State held a 17-4 advantage in shots, 9-1 in shots on goal and 6-0 in corner kicks.
The Seminoles return home next week for a match against Clemson (7-4-0, 2-1-0 ACC) on Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. The game will air on ACC Network Extra and links for the broadcast and live stats will be available on the soccer schedule page of Seminoles.com. Admission is free for all home regular season matches at the Seminole Soccer Complex.
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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