It was a day of close matches in the third round of the NCAA Women’s Championship. After a lengthy weather delay, Florida State defeated UCF while fellow No. 1 seed Florida came from behind to earn the victory over Texas Tech and advance to the Elite Eight. South Carolina defeated their northern counterparts and Stanford was victorious over Washington to advance as well. The results of the round of 16 should lead to some quality quarterfinal contests.
Florida gave up a two goal lead but found the winner on the foot of Annie Speese in their 3-2 victory over Texas Tech. The win put the Gators into the quarterfinals for the first time sine 2003. After trading possession and unsuccessfully navigating through the opposition’s tough defensive efforts at the start of the match, Florida broke through in the 14th minute. Savannah Jordan fed the ball to Havana Solaun for her 8th of the season and an early 1-0 lead for Florida. Jordan was involved in Florida’s second goal in the 21st minute, this time putting it in herself as she headed in a free kick from Speese to make it 2-0.
All seemed to be going well for the Gators until Texas Tech found their stride late in the first half. Sara Summers ripped a shot from past Taylor Burke from 18 yards out to cut Florida’s lead in half. Texas Tech came out the far better team at the start of the second half, with Florida playing inconsistently and making several errors. Texas Tech took advantage of Florida’s slow start and leveled the score on an amazing goal by Janine Beckle. Jaelene Hinkle brought the ball down the left side and sent in a long cross to Beckle who took it on one bounce and launched it into the upper right side of the net.
Florida regained the lead with less than 10 minutes to go as Speese put in a beautiful goal of her own. Speese received the ball from Christen Westphal and sent a high shot that came down just over the fingertips of goalkeeper Lauren Watson in what ended up being the game winning goal. Solaun, Jordan and Speese have been a force to be reckoned with this season as they often have teamed up in various combinations on Florida’s scoring opportunities. The trio will be looking to do so again as they take on No. 1 seed Stanford in their Elite Eight match.
Despite outshooting their opponent 20-4, a penalty, and the ensuing rebound, right before halftime was the deciding factor in Stanford’s 1-0 victory over Washington. The win marks Stanford’s 24th consecutive home victory and improves on their tournament showing from last year when they were knocked out at this stage by eventual champions UCLA.
Stanford dominated the majority of the match both offensively and defensively; having the better of the scoring opportunities and essentially shutting down the Washington attack. Stanford had an opportunity early in the match from Haley Rosen, but was unlucky as her shot bounced off the crossbar. One of the other standout opportunities for Stanford came in the second half when a wide open Ryan Walker-Hartshorn received a beautiful centering pass from Chioma Ubogagu, but her shot went just high. Washington had a solid opportunity of their own as Kate Bennett fired a dropping shot that Stanford goalkeeper Jane Campbell was just able to get her fingertips on and keep out of the goal.
Though both teams had their chances, a late first half penalty would make the difference in this match. Walker-Hartshorn was fouled while awaiting a cross in the box and Stanford was awarded the penalty, to be taken by Lo’eau LaBonta. Washington goalkeeper Megan Kufield guessed correctly and was able to block the shot, but the ball landed in front of the open goal and LaBonta was able to put in her own rebound giving Stanford the 1-0 lead. This was the second time this tournament that LaBonta put Stanford through where a penalty was involved as her goal from the spot against Arkansas sent the team through to the round of 16.
It was a battle of the Carolinas in which the Gamecocks emerged victorious as South Carolina defeated UNC 1-0 to earn their first quarterfinal berth in the history of their women’s soccer program. This was the first match of the tournament for South Carolina where a winner was decided in regulation time. Defense was the name of the game for South Carolina as UNC did not have a shot on goal until the 41st minute.
South Carolina’s first attempt on goal came merely seconds after the whistle blew as Sophie Groff found Raina Johnson in the box. Johnson fired a powerful shot towards the goal but UNC goalkeeper Bianca Heaberlin was easily able to make the save, though Johnson did eventually find the back of the net in the 23rd minute. Johnson fired a shot from long range that bounced off the inside of the post and appeared to be covered by Heaberlin, but the ball got away from her and rolled over the goal line to give South Carolina the 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.
Down a goal at the half, UNC came out after the break determined to score and had a solid opportunity in the 56th minute. Summer Green took the ball to the end line and was looking to whip it into the corner of the goal but the shot just lacked the movement to actually find the net. South Carolina kept UNC’s efforts to a minimum until the last 15 minutes or so when the Tar Heels really turned up the pressure, firing shot after shot at South Carolina’s goal. The effort of the South Carolina defense and goalkeeper Abby Crider to block and save the influx of UNC opportunities helped the team preserve the shutout and more importantly, the win.
In a match that was delayed six hours due to weather, No. 1 ranked Florida Statedefeated UCF to advance to their 10th straight quarterfinals, which is the longest active streak. The match was a close one as both teams maintained good possession and had several opportunities to break the deadlock. Great defensive efforts and a little luck in the form of the posts kept it scoreless at the half after the teams traded solid scoring chances in the first 45 minutes.
UCF registered the first opportunity early in the match as Ashley Spivey sent a rocket from 25 yards out, but her shot ricocheted off the post and out of play. Florida State had an chance from distance as well as Isabella Schmid fired a shot that looked to be headed just under the crossbar until UCF goalkeeper Connie Organ made an amazing save and was able to tip it out of bounds. Spivey almost gave UCF the lead in the 37th minute as she got her head on the ball but came up just short again as the ball went just wide of the net. The post played a role in the match again right before the half, this time to Florida State’s dismay as Berglind Thorvaldsdottir fired a shot that bounced off the post and back into play. Thorvaldsdottir was able to get the rebound, but the followup was blocked by the UCF defense.
UCF had a breakaway opportunity at the start of the second half as they were was able to sneak past the Seminoles defense. After a terrific throw in and long range pass, Kayla Darden found herself one on one with goalkeeper Cassie Miller, but Miller was able to cut off Darden’s angle and the ensuing pass across the box was unable to find a teammate. That was the only real opportunity the team had as Florida State allowed them only one shot the entire second half.
It took 60 minutes, but the scoreless draw was finally broken on a crafty play by the Seminoles. Having received a free kick deep in UCF’s end, Michaela Hahn faked sending the ball to the far post and instead slipping the it toward Schmid, who was racing toward the end line. Schmid beat the UCF defenders to the ball and fired a cross over to Kristin Grubka who one timed it towards the near post and in for the lone goal of the match.
Here are the quarterfinal match ups for these teams:
Florida State vs South Carolina
Florida vs Stanford
Both matches will take place on November 28.
Photo courtesy of Ross Obley/Florida State Women’s Soccer
