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FINAL: Florida State 3, Pitt 0 (NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament Quarterfinal)

Photo courtesy Florida State Athletics
2023 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship Fourth Round (Quarterfinal Round – Elite Eight)

FINAL:  Florida State 3, Pitt 0

Live Stats: NCAA Match Center 

Match Summary

Pitt women’s soccer team’s unprecedented, deep run in the NCAA tournament came to an end, as they couldn’t overcome another second half scoring onslaught from No. 1 Florida State, losing to the Seminoles in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship quarterfinal round, 3-0, at Seminole Soccer Park on Friday night.

After an evenly played match that reached the one-hour mark scoreless, the Seminoles pressure resulted in two Pitt penalties in the box within a few minutes of each other, with Taylor Huff and Leah Pais converting their spot kick chances to beat Pitt’s goalkeeper Ellie Breech.  Nigerian International, Onyi Echegini added a third goal less than one minute after the second penalty conversion to put the Panthers out of reach.

Pitt (17-5-1) ends the season with three of its five losses on the season coming to the top-ranked Seminoles, but the Panthers cap an impressive 2023 campaign by earning more wins than any other team in program history.

Florida State (20-0-1) moves on to play in its fourth consecutive College Cup, where they’ll face the winner of Clemson-Penn State (to be played Saturday).

Look for more to come on Pittsburgh Soccer Now later Friday night, and on Saturday.  

Match Updates 

FINAL — FLORIDA ST 3, PITT 0

86′ — Have to really appreciate the fight Pitt’s showing to try to get a goal back, but thus far, even with a few decent chances, they’re still searching for one

73′ — Pitt’s Deb Abiodun shot is saved by Roque.

69′ — GOAL — FLORIDA STATE 3, PITT 0

Onyi Echegini — what a second effort — and it’s another Seminoles second half onslaught.

Noles have scored three goals in last eight minutes.

68′ — GOAL — FLORIDA STATE 2, PITT 0

Former Panther Leah Pais hits the penalty kick conversion to beat Breech, and the Panthers are in trouble.

68′ — PENALTY — Pitt’s Lucia Wells called for the foul in the box.

67′ — Mertz gets forward — sends another low liner but right at FSU keeper Cristina Roque

63′ — GOAL — FLORIDA ST 1, PITT 0

63 — PENALTY!  Yellow card to Pitt’s Ashton Gordon who gets hand on hard shot.

62′ — Breech comes way off her line — anticipating a long FSU through ball for Ochegini and gets there first.

59′ — Solid save by Pitt’s Ellie Breech — who denies FSU’s Jody Brown low shot headed inside the right post. Brown got loose after winning a ball on edge of final third

53′ — Pitt earns Free kick on far right side — Schupansky sends a low liner in but FSU clears

51′ — FSU gets forward quickly — and Huff’s shot hits side netting.

50′ — Pitt keeps it alive in box — but Phiri shot attempt goes too far left

6:42 p.m. ET — second half kicks off…

Halftime Stats:

Shots:  FSU 9, Pitt 5 (3-2 on target)

Corners:  FSU 4-1

Fouls: 6-6

Saves: Ellie Breech (Pitt) 3, Cristina Roque (FSU) 2

HALF — PITT 0, FLORIDA STATE 0

This match is up for grabs.
FSU with more dangerous chances, but Pitt is matching possession/defending well but need to create a little time on ball, be patient and create few more chances in final third.

35′ — FSU with 7-5 shots advantage, with three on target to Pitt’s one.

32′ — Now it’s FSU’s MF Taylor Huff who fires a shot right in middle of box from top of arc, and @Pitt_WSOC‘s Ellie Breech pushes it over. Third save for Breech.

30′ — Pitt being selective, but they’ve brought up high press vs FSU. Last sequence, once broken, found room for Echegini to get loose a fire a missile that just missed right of goal.

21′ — save by Ellie Breech — as she denies shot attempt from close range from Jody Brown.

20′ — Mertz cross right at Roque — I suppose you can call that a shot on target.

15′ — Good sign for Pitt – they’re winning the possession battle through first 15 minutes. More they can make FSU chase this match, the more they can keep ball away from Ochegini, Dudley, Huff, Jones, etc.

8′ — Good combination play on left side between Amanda West & Sarah Schupansky sets up Pitt’s first corner. Then, another FSU foul sets up free kick from far right side but right to keeper Cristina Roque Suddenly Pitt’s been on the front foot

5′ — In transition, Pitt sets up free kick — as Amanda West fouled as she accelerates with room on left side.  Coffield’s service into wall

2′ —  Pitt’s Ellie Breech is there for solid diving save down on right post side.

5:33 pm — Pitt’s starters have taken the field — here’s the full XI:

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PSN’s Match Coverage 

Preview: Pitt’s determined to make third time the charm in NCAA women’s soccer tournament Elite 8 showdown with unbeaten perennial power No. 1 Florida St

Pitt Women’s Soccer Defeats Memphis to Make First Elite Eight

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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