University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
13-3-4
Florida State
13-3-4
Seminoles Earn ACC Title on Penalty Kicks
November 6, 2016 | Women's Soccer
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The sixth-seeded and 13th-ranked Florida State Seminoles left MUSC Health Stadium with the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Soccer Championship title for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in six seasons, outlasting fourth-seeded and 10th-ranked North Carolina, 4-3, on penalty kicks after the teams battled to a scoreless draw through regulation and two overtimes.
“It was a very competitive match, a lot of physical play and a lot of battling,” Krikorian said. “Overall, I am quite pleased with our young group and all that they accomplished in winning this tournament.”
The outcome left both teams at 13-3-4 and in position for what should be a high seed when NCAA Championship selections are announced Monday at 4:30 p.m.
UNC fell just short in its bid to capture its 21st ACC Championship title but its first since 2009. Florida State outshot the Tar Heels 8-7 in the game and the Tar Heels had a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
The game would not likely have even gone to peanlty kicks were it not for three brilliant saves by UNC senior goalkeeper Lindsey Harris. With five seconds left in the first half, Florida State's Taylor Hallman found herself unmarked 12 yards from the goal but her strike was tipped over the bar by Harris as time expired in the first half. She made two more brilliant saves in the first overtime period, denying Emma Koivisto at 93:22 at the near post with a leaping save and then making a sliding save at 95:42 on what seemed to be sure to be the game-winning tally by the Seminoles' Kristen McFarland who got behind all the Tar Heel defenders for a point blank shot from 10 yards.
“I want to congratulate Florida State,” Tar Heel head coach Anson Dorrance said. “This is starting to become a habit for them. Winning this event four years in a row is not an easy thing to do in this league, and I tip my hat to Mark and his staff.”
Each side made its first two attempts of the penalty kick phase before Miller made a good read to stop UNC's third attempt by Abby Elinsky, and Megan Connolly converted her try to give Florida State a 3-2 edge.
Then, after a trade of successful PKs in round four left the Seminoles up 4-3, Miller dove to her left to deflect UNC freshman Bridgette Andrzejewski's attempt and seal the verdict in FSU's favor. Of the Seminoles' five ACC titles since 2011, three have been decided on penalty kicks.
UNC nearly struck for a goal just seven minutes into the match when Elinksy headed in a long pass from Julia Ashley, but an offsides ruling at the last instant nullified the would-be goal.
The half then evolved into a total defensive struggle until the fading seconds, when Florida State freshman Taylor Hallmon slipped inside the box, controlled a deflected ball and lined a well-placed shot that had a chance of finding the upper half of the goal. But UNC keeper Lindsey Harris reached high and made the deflection to leave the match scoreless at the half.
Hallmon's shot was the only one the Seminoles attempted in the first half. But they matched the Tar Heels, who were credited with only one official attempt as well.
The second half of play failed to produce the 2016 ACC champion, as scoring chances remained sparse. UNC held a 6-4 edge in total shots at the end of regulation, and both teams were credited with two shots on goal.
Attacking much more aggressively, Florida State forged two serious threats in the first six minutes of the first overtime, but UNC's Harris repelled a shot by Emma Koivisto with 6:05 remaining and smothered Kristen McFarland's close-range attempt with 4:15 to play.
The Seminoles also had a prime chance in the closing seconds of the second overtime period, but McFarland had a shot blocked by the UNC defense from close range and Harris pulled down Kuikka's corner kick to force the game to penalty kicks.
“Florida State is a tough team to break down, and we really couldn't do that over the course of the match and so unfortunately it came down the penalty kick phase,” Dorrance said. “But I'm not embarrassed by the way we played today. In fact, I'm quite pleased with it.”
The 2016 ACC Women's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team:
Catrina Atanda, Clemson
Kaleigh Olmstead, Notre Dame
Lindsey Harris, North Carolina
Annie Kingman, North Carolina
Bridgette Andrzejewski, North Carolina
Julia Ashley, North Carolina
Maya Worth, North Carolina
Kirsten Crowley, Florida State
Megan Connolly, Florida State
Cassie Miller, Florida State
Natalia Kuikka, Florida State - MVP
