The Seminoles are off to their best start in the ACC since 2001.

Oct. 4, 2009

Box Score in PDF Format

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Fifth-ranked Florida State (10-1-0, 3-0-0 ACC) remained undefeated at home in 2009 thanks to a 4-1 victory over intra-state rival Miami (6-6-0, 1-2-0 ACC) on Sunday afternoon at the Seminole Soccer Complex.

Sporting pink jerseys to raise awareness for breast cancer and breast cancer research, the Seminoles scored three first half goals including two in the first five minutes and seven second to record their 10th straight victory over the Hurricanes. The win also moved FSU to 3-0-0 in the ACC tying the school record for the best start in league play set back in 2001.

"We got a great result against a very good ACC team," said head coach Mark Krikorian. "I felt like in the first half we had pretty good control of the game. It was great to jump out to a two-goal lead. Of course, I would much rather start a game up two, then down two. But credit to Miami, they came back in the second half and fought. It was one heck of a game this afternoon."

The three-goal victory on Sunday extended FSU's home winning streak to 13 straight games, the longest streak in school history.

Florida State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Tori Huster found the back of the net with just over three minutes into the start of the game on the Seminoles first shot. Off a throw-in from Jessica Price, the ball floated into the box untouched taking two bounces right to Huster, who one-timed a cross from five yards out for her fourth goal of the season. The assist for Price was her team leading seventh of the season.

The Seminoles extended their lead exactly two minutes later on a goal from defender Ines Jaurena. Following another FSU throw-in by Price, Casey Short blasted a shot that was blocked by the Miami defense. Short gathered the rebound and sent a quick pass to Jaurena who one-timed a shot inside the left post from about eight yards out for her second goal of the season.

Short was credited with the assist as the sophomore midfielder has now registered an assist in FSU's first three league contests. She became FSU's all-time assist leader in conference play in just 13 league games as eight of her nine career assists have come during ACC play.

FSU keeper Erin McNulty was forced to leave the game in the 30th minute after she was kicked in the mouth by a Hurricane player. On a loose ball in the 18-yard box, McNulty came sliding in to retrieve the ball but was met square in the mouth by a cleat from a sliding attacking player from Miami. McNulty left the game to receive stitches, but was back on the sideline to see the end of the game. The red shirt sophomore keeper finished the game with one save.

Twenty-three seconds later, the Seminoles took a 3-0 lead on Tiffany McCarty's 10th goal of the season. The sophomore forward scored on a put away from five yards out as she collected her own rebound off an initial shot from inside the box.

Miami cut into the Seminole lead right before halftime as Julianne Rickers found the back of the net for her second goal of the season. Rickers sent a blast from 30 yards out that went top shelf just beyond the outstretched arms of FSU keeper Kimmy Diaz.

The second half was very physical as both teams combined for 12 fouls. The Hurricanes came close to drawing within one of the FSU lead in the 56th minute but a blast off the leg of Brittney Steinbruch from 24 yards out caromed off the crossbar.

"This was by far one of the most physical games that we have played in so far this season," added Krikorian. "It's part of the game. You have to be able to adjust to those conditions and play through it."

The Seminoles pushed their lead back to three as Price and McCarty combined on a goal to give FSU a commanding 4-1 advantage. On a strong run toward the end line, McCarty made a quick move back up the field sending a shot off a UM defender. The ball skied over two Miami players and right to a wide open space where Price ran on and one-timed a shot from close range for the score, her eighth goal of the season.

Florida State finished the game out shooting Miami 20-11, while both schools record two corner kicks a piece.

Diaz, who registered a career-high 60:34 in goal on Sunday, finished the game with one save.

Florida State will hit the road for three straight games including two games next week in the state of North Carolina. The Seminoles will travel to face Wake Forest and Duke on Thursday and Sunday, respectively.

NOTE: Fans, it is Breast Cancer Awareness month and you can still help support the cause. Log-on to Seminoles.com and bid on one of the pink jerseys worn during Sunday's game against Miami. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds will stay right here in Tallahassee to benefit the Tallahassee Memorial Sharon Ewing Walker Breast Cancer Health Center, while 25 percent of the funds will go to the Kay Yow Foundation. The auction comes to a close at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8.