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Nov. 28, 2014

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In the program’s first NCAA quarterfinal, No. 18 South Carolina (14-6-5) saw its NCAA Tournament run come to an end with a 5-0 loss to No. 2 Florida State (22-1-1) on Friday at the Seminole Soccer Complex

From the opening kick, the Seminoles applied pressure and allowed the Gamecocks very little possession past midfield. After 15 minutes of play, the Seminoles recorded the first shot of the afternoon off the foot of Michaela Hahn. A Gamecock defender was in position to block the shot though.

Twelve minutes later, Dagny Brynjarsdottir put a header on frame after receiving a ball from Megan Campbell. With the shot on target to sneak under the crossbar, freshman Abbey Crider skied and tipped the chance over to stave off another good Seminole opportunity.

In the 32nd minute, the Florida State pressure finally yielded a goal. After a pair of blocked shots inside the penalty area from Brynjarsdottir and Kristin Grubka, Berglind Thorvaldsdottir one-timed a rebound of Grubka’s shot inside the right post for a 1-0 lead.

Looking to equalize, the Gamecocks moved the ball into their attacking third and were awarded a free kick after a Seminoles foul. Senior Andie Romness hit freshman Savannah McCaskill in the box with the serve, but the header went wide of the target.

Florida State doubled its lead with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Isabella Schmid and Hahn set up Jamia Fields who was loose on the right side. Fields sent a long blast across the goal and inside the left post to give the Seminoles a 2-0 lead at the half.

In a span of seven minutes, the Seminoles put the match out of reach. Fields added her second goal of the day in the 55th minute from 25-yards out to make the score 3-0. Then, within 93 seconds, Cheyna Williams scored twice. The first came on a point-blank look in front of the goal thanks to a cross from Brynjarsdottir. The second was a close-range header set up by Brynjarsdottir and Carson Pickett on a free kick to push the score to 5-0 with under 30 minutes to play.

GAMECHANGER

Already holding a 2-0 lead, Florida State put the game out of reach, scoring three goals in a seven-minute stretch to make the score 5-0.

KEY STAT

Florida State outshot the Gamecocks 17-8 with five of its seven shots on goal finding the back of the net.

NOTABLES

  • Florida State’s goal in the 32nd minute was the first goal allowed by South Carolina in the tournament a streak that lasted 342 minutes. It was also the first goal allowed of freshman Abbey Crider’s career.
  • Entering the day, the Gamecocks had allowed more than one goal just twice this season, a 3-2 win over then No. 5 Florida and a 2-2 tie at then-No. 6 Texas A&M.
  • Florida State’s five goals is the most given up by the Gamecocks since back-to-back 2-5 losses vs. Maryland and at No. 4 Virginia in September 2004.

TWEET OF THE GAME

QUOTABLE South Carolina head coach Shelley Smith
It was a very impressive performance by Florida State. Congratulations to them for moving on and deservedly so, moving into the Final Four. They showed how strong they are today. There were times where we struggled to contain their attack. We didn’t play our best game for sure, and they punished us for some mistakes we made. But a big credit to Florida State, they were ready to play and finished the chances that we gave them. They are going to be a tough team to beat in the College Cup. I am proud of our team and obviously thrilled to be in the Elite Eight. I would have loved to move on, but we have to play better on the day. It didn’t happen, but we learned a lot from this situation for our program. I’m extremely proud of the work rate of our team, even though things didn’t go off that well today for us. They never gave up. They showed the heart they have as a group and played for each other. They are a tremendous group of people. I’m very proud of our team. Unfortunately, it had to come to an end, but I’m very thankful for all they’ve done this year. The four seniors who are finishing their careers are special people, and we’ll truly miss them.

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