UNC women’s soccer falls to Florida State, 2-1, in ACC Championship final

The North Carolina ladies’s soccer group (15-4-1, 8-2 ACC) fell to Florida State (13-2-3, 8-2 ACC), 2-1, within the ACC Girls’s Soccer Championship remaining on Sunday afternoon.

What occurred?

The Seminoles had two nook kicks early within the recreation, however neither set piece resulted in a shot on the aim.

The Tar Heels struggled to ascertain themselves within the attacking third, as Florida State’s midfield stopped practically each clear try by UNC. About 20 minutes into the sport, UNC received off its first shot and did not waste it.

Senior proper again Emily Moxley dribbled her approach up the sphere and threaded a go to senior ahead Isabel Cox on the correct wing, who despatched a cross to junior Avery Patterson. Patterson side-stepped a defender and shot the ball, which deflected off the goalkeeper into the higher left nook to place UNC up, 1-0.

The Tar Heels had an opportunity to double their lead just some minutes later when Moxley earned a free kick from the left wing. Moxley despatched the ball just a bit too excessive for Patterson, lurking in entrance of the aim, to go within the ball off the set piece.

On the thirty first minute, Florida State’s Jenna Nighswonger scored the equalizer off a nook kick. Nighswonger did not want any help from her teammates, taking the nook kick herself and bending the ball proper into the aim over the pinnacle of UNC keeper Emmie Allen.

The groups battled for possession for the rest of the half, however North Carolina did not get off one other shot till the break.

The Seminoles scored early popping out of halftime. Within the forty ninth minute Nighswonger took a shot from outdoors the penalty field that Allen saved, however senior ahead Jody Brown was there to attain off the rebound.

The Tar Heels had an opportunity at a direct counter, however junior midfielder Sam Meza’s by ball to Cox had just a bit an excessive amount of on it, turning the ball again over to Florida State. The groups performed at a blistering tempo following FSU’s second aim, as UNC urgently looked for an opportunity to attain the equalizer.

Nonetheless, the Tar Heels have been restricted on their shot makes an attempt. Patterson had the group’s third shot of the afternoon and first of the second half within the 78th minute.

Who stood out?

Patterson commanded UNC’s offense as first-team All-ACC choice Ally Sentnor struggled to make an impression towards the Seminoles’ protection. The whole Florida State again line, together with goalkeeper Cristina Roque, executed their recreation plan towards the Tar Heels to perfection.

On the opposite facet of the pitch, Nighswonger and Brown have been Florida State’s two most harmful weapons all through the sport.

When was it determined?

Florida State suffocated UNC’s offense for the whole second half, because the Tar Heels failed to search out any fruitful scoring makes an attempt. Within the 89th minute, Roque was issued a yellow card, permitting UNC an oblique free kick from the left facet of the aim. Patterson took a shot on the equalizer nevertheless it soared excessive over the aim.

Within the remaining minute of the sport, the Seminoles commanded possession of the ball and ran down the clock to safe their third-straight ACC Championship title.

Why does it matter?

Florida State dominated the Tar Heels after UNC’s early aim, holding a usually fiery offense to only seven photographs. They succeeded at restricted the Tar Heels’ possibilities, not permitting UNC any nook kicks the whole recreation.

The 2 ACC powerhouses shared the common season title and have now break up the 2 video games they’ve performed towards one another this season. Each are more likely to earn No. 1 seeds within the NCAA Match and will meet for a trilogy bout within the School Cup. 

When do they play subsequent?

The Tar Heels will wait to see the place they fall when the NCAA Match bracket is introduced on Monday. The event will start subsequent weekend on Friday, Nov. 11.

@LucasThomae

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