No. 7 Florida State (7-0-2, 3-0-1 ACC) drew with NC State (2-6-3, 1-1-1 ACC) by a 1-1 score this afternoon in Raleigh, NC.
Game Recap
Florida State wasted no time getting into the attack in this game. In the first minute Kameron Simmonds sent the ball into the box from the right flank. The ball pinged around in the box until Jordynn Dudley passed it to the edge of the six. Yuna McCormack fought off a pair of defenders to slip the ball over to Wrianna Hudson who had an open shot from about seven yards out but her effort went straight to Wolfpack keeper Olivia Pratapas.
In the 28th minute NC State generated a chance. Jade Bordeleau secured the ball in the midfield and found Erica Roberts streaking down the left flank. Roberts fired a shot from the edge of the 18. Evan O’Steen dove to her left to deflect the shot to deny Roberts.
In the 41st minute the Wolfpack threatened again. Nawreen Ahmad was whistled for a foul. Mana Nakata took the ensuing free kick for the Pack. Nakata sent a dangerous ball into the box. O’Steen came off her line but she wasn’t able to get the ball. Antonella Mazziotto got up for the header but her shot went wide right.
In the 48th minute Simmonds played a ball for Dudley down the right flank. Dudley one-timed a cross to McCormack at the edge of the box. McCormack tried to redirect the ball on goal but her shot was (seemingly) deflected by Alex Mohr for a corner but the officials didn’t see it so NC State was awarded a goal kick.
In the 51st minute Dudley crossed the ball into the six. Simmonds leapt up and headed the ball down for an open Hudson in the six. Hudson couldn’t get off a good strike and the ball rebounded off her shin out of play.
In the 75th minute Mya Brandon battled for the ball and won it before finding Dudley posting up in the attacking third. Dudley turned and ran at the defense beating a pair of defenders before finding herself one on one with the keeper. Pratapas came off her line to cut off Dudley’s angle. Dudley fired a shot but Pratapas was able to close her down blocking the shot off her chest.
In the 81st minute, Yuna McCormack was called for clipping Emily Wong in the penalty box. After a short review the referee determined that it was a penalty. Jade Bordeleau stepped up and fired a hard low drive into the left corner. Kate Ockene guessed correctly but the shot was so well taken that Ockene could not deflect it. The Pack had a 1-0 lead. It was the first time that FSU had trailed all season.
In the 90th minute, Dudley found Hudson with a throw-in. Hudson expertly touched the ball past defender Mackenzie Smith. Pratapas came off her line to challenge Hudson but it didn’t work this time as Hudson cooly slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper into the right corner of the goal. Hudson’s heroics with only 33 seconds left in the game rescued Florida State from what would have been a crushing loss. Instead, the Noles will head back to Tallahassee with plenty of questions but still unbeaten as they escape with a 1-1 draw.
Post Game
Florida State had 21 shots (4 on goal) while NC State had 5 shots (2 on goal).
Florida State preserved the 64-game scoring streak.
Mimi Van Zanten didn’t play but she was seen on the sidelines without a boot, which is a good sign that she could return soon.
Taylor Suarez left the game in the 11th minute with a lower leg injury. She did not return to the game.
Florida State basically dominated this game, applying almost all of the pressure. However, the Noles were only able to produce four shots on goal. This has been a recurring problem. FSU has not been able to generate enough good chances. Also, when the chances are there, the Seminoles have not been clinical enough in front of goal. It is never good to be wasteful but it is an even bigger problem if there aren’t a ton of chances being created in the first place.
To be clear, the offense isn’t exactly punchless. Before this game, Massey ranked FSU as the best offense in the nation. So why the nitpicking? It is not because the Noles have been bad. The issue is that it doesn’t seem that FSU is close to maximizing their talent. Based on their talent a good case can be made that the Noles have the best roster in the nation player for player. However, they seem to still be a good distance away from reaching their ceiling. Therefore, it can be a bit frustrating watching this team as they scratch out close wins (or draws) against teams that they should probably be handling much easier based on the talent difference.
There are few things going on. I will point to a couple. FSU is way too predictable. The Seminoles need more consistent width in the attack. To be sure, the Seminoles do attack from the flanks at times but they mostly go through the middle. This makes them easier to defend as the defense can bunch up and close down the operating space that strikers need. Enasia Colon has been particularly dangerous with her crosses but it can’t just be Colon. Attacking from the flanks needs to be more of a feature of the offense, not just a once-in-a-while thing.
Florida State also needs to exhibit more patience in the attack to create more chances. There is nothing wrong with firing from distance on occasion but that should not be the bulk of the offense. The Seminoles could only muster four shots on goal against NC State (a two-win team). That is not acceptable from a team with this much talent.
Hudson’s equalizer was simply massive. Losing to NC State would not have been a knockout blow for FSU’s chances at a number one NCAA seed but the Noles would have needed a standing eight count. It’s obviously impossible to know for sure but it is very unlikely that FSU will be a number one seed with three losses. Therefore, the Noles would have likely had almost no margin of error remaining if they had suffered a loss today. In addition, NC State is not a good team (no disrespect intended). The Pack is currently ranked 174th in the RPI and 149th by Massey. Losing this game would have punished FSU in the critical RPI rankings.
The Noles now have a 12-day break. That is enough time for a mini-training camp. FSU has an opportunity to retool. We will see how they use it.
Next Game
Florida State will host Miami at the Seminole Soccer Complex on Friday, October 3rd. The game will kickoff at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.
