Nov. 27, 2009

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format
NCAA Quarterfinal Quotes in PDF Format
Florida State vs. Notre Dame Photo Gallery

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - As the classic saying goes, `All good things must come to end,' and unfortunately for the Seminoles that day happened to come on Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2009 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship. In front of a sold out crowd of 2,000, sixth-ranked Florida State (19-5-1) saw its season come to close with a 2-0 loss to fifth-ranked Notre Dame (21-3-1).

In a game in which Florida State dominated the flow of play, all it took was 51 seconds for Notre Dame to get the result they wanted. Late in the first half, the Irish capitalized on a defensive miscue and a header off a corner to grab a 2-0 lead right before the half.

Notre Dame's Melissa Henderson scored the game's first goal putting away a loose ball from close range off a failed clear by the Seminole defense in the 39th minute. The shot by the sophomore forward deflected off the outstretched arm of FSU goalkeeper Erin McNulty and inside the right post for her team leading 18th goal of the season.

Before the Seminoles could catch their breath, the Irish struck again just 51 seconds later to push their lead to 2-0. Off a Notre Dame corner, Haley Ford found the back of the net on a header inside the right post for her third goal of the season. Rose Augustin was credited with the assist on the play.

Both teams finished the game equal in shots (14-14) and corners (5-5).

Florida State had its chances early but could not find the back of the net as Irish keeper Nikki Weiss finished the game with five saves in earning her seventh shutout of the season.

In the eighth minute, Weiss was there for the save from close range on a shot from Tiffany McCarty. Rachel Lim began the play slipping a pass to Jessica Price. Holding off a pair of Irish defenders, Price made a quick move toward the inside of the 18 before slotting a pass to McCarty. The sophomore forward one-timed the pass toward the upper right corner, but Weiss was there for the save.

Following a Seminole throw-in in the 27th minute, the ball was played out to the top of the box where Ines Jaurena came rushing on and blasted a shot on frame. But Weiss was there for the save on the near post.

Toni Pressley sent a header into the box off a Seminole throw-in in the 60th minute of action, but Weiss made a nice play securing the ball by going over the top of a leaping Price from eight yards out.

Jaurena led the Seminoles tying a career-high with three shots.

The loss saw the Seminoles' 18-game home winning streak come to an end which dates back to last season. It also marked the first time that FSU has ever lost a postseason game on its home turf. Entering Friday's contest, Florida State was a perfect 18-0-0 all-time at home in the NCAA Tournament.

Florida State wraps-up the season with the second most wins in school history (19), while claiming a share of its first ACC regular season title.