Seminoles (20-0-1) are two wins away from first unbeaten season
By Official Florida FC
Florida State throttled Pitt 3-0 at the Seminole Soccer Complex on Friday evening to advance to the NCAA College Cup for the fourth straight year.
The unbeaten Seminoles did their damage during the course of seven minutes in the second half to advance to the College Cup for the 14th time in program history. North Carolina is the only team to have advanced to the College Cup more frequently than Florida State.
Taylor Huff opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute. Former Pitt forward Leah Pais converted another penalty in the 69th minute.
“Obviously, goals change games. The first one changed the game,” Florida State head coach Brian Pensky said afterward. “Life is funny. For Leah to be sitting here as a grad transfer from Pitt, for her to draw the second foul and score the second goal and not necessarily put the game away, but put us in a more comfortable spot. I’m really happy for her, as are all of her teammates and friends. It was an emotional third time for her to have to face them. That’s not easy.”
Senior forward Onyi Echegini scored her team-leading 15th goal of the season in the 70th minute to cue the celebration.
Echegini scored in Florida State’s wins over Pitt in both the regular season and the ACC Tournament. Friday’s goal was because she followed up on Jordynn Dudley’s shot that Panthers goalie Ellie Breach could not handle.
Photos: No. 1 Florida State holds off Pittsburgh
Earlier this year Official Florida FC watched the Seminoles defeat Pitt. Here is a photo gallery from that match.
Pensky says this year’s Seminoles are talented, determined and have the will to not be denied.
“I love playing with these guys,” Echegini told reporters afterward. “Once we get going, it’s like a chain reaction. We score and we score.”
Florida State has outscored opponents 18-1 in the postseason. The only team to have breached the Seminoles defense was Clemson in the ACC Tournament final on Nov. 5.
Florida State (20-0-1) will face Clemson (18-3-4) in the national semifinals on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
Lead photo: Florida State advanced to the NCAA College Cup for the fourth straight season with its 3-0 win over Pittsburgh. (Photo courtesy Florida State University sports information.)
