Defending National Champions Florida St hands Pitt women’s soccer humbling loss

Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics

Courtesy Pitt Athletics Report

Sophomore midfielder Deborah Abiodun scored her fourth goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough as Pitt fell to No. 22 Florida State, 7-1, Sunday afternoon at Seminole Soccer Complex.

The Panthers slip to 9-4-3 overall and 3-3-2 in the ACC, while defending National Champions Florida State improves to 10-2-2 (5-2-1 ACC).

Florida State outshot the Panthers, 14-6, marking just the second time this season Pitt was outshot in a game.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Florida State had the first scoring opportunity three minutes into play, but Sarah Schupansky tracked back to deflect a Seminole shot off frame and out for a corner.

Jordynn Dudley got the hosts on the board first with a strong run on the left side before chopping the ball back to her left foot for a low strike to beat Ellie Breech at the 4:53 mark.

Olivia Lee delivered a couple nice plays for the Panther defense with a strong clear at the top of the box and step to intercept a cross into the box.

Pitt nearly equalized in the 28^th minute as Abiodun ripped a shot from the left edge of the box. Florida State keeper Addie Todd got just enough of a touch to force the ball off the cross bar. Ellie Coffield gathered the clear attempt 25 yards out and sent in another shot that sailed just high of frame.

Breech punched out a Florida State corner the 18:57 mark.

Schupansky had a free kick from 25-yard out tested Todd, but she was able make a leap grab of the strike in the upper left corner with 16 minutes left in the half.

Florida State added to the lead with 11:16 left in the half as Dudley found Wrianna Hudson free in front of the goal for a two-touch finish.

Breech posted a big save with 9:02 left in the half as Hudson tried to head in an initial strike from the left side of the bench that banged off the crossbar.

The Seminoles scored against the run of play in the final minute as Hudson collected a long cross at the top of the box and slid a shot into the right side of the net.

Florida State outshot the Panthers 10-3 in the opening half.

Florida State got its fourth goal at the 53:29 mark as Taylor Huff bounced one in off the right post.

Pitt nearly got on the scoreboard in the 60th minute as Schupansky played Samiah Phiri in on goal but an offsides call erased the goal.

Abiodun outworked a Florida State defender off a flick header from Phiri with 25 minutes left off a free kick from midfield in the 65^th minute. She gathered the ball near the six-yard mark and slotted her fourth goal of the season.

Pitt continued to push the offensive attack and Schupansky fired a 30-yard laser that forced another leaping push save from Todd in the 67^th minute.

Solai Washington netted the Seminoles fifth goal with a left footed strike coming from the right side of the box at the 74:28 mark.

Florida State added a goal by Heather Gilchrist off a corner with just under 13 minutes remaining and tacked on a final goal with under a minute left by Giana Riley.

PITT VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS

The Panthers are 5-8-2 in their past 15 matches against ranked opponents. Pitt is 0-2-2 this season against teams ranked in the top 25 of the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Six of Pitt’s nine all-time wins against ranked opponents have come under head coach Randy Waldrum.

UP NEXT

The Panthers return to Pittsburgh to play their final regular season home contest Thursday, Oct. 24 against No. 2 Wake Forest. First kick is set for 7 p.m. from Ambrose Urbanic Field.