CARY, N.C. — The eight-seed and 12th-ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer team hung tough in its quarterfinal matchup with the top-seed and second-ranked Florida State Seminoles. The Irish defense limited the chances for the Seminoles but ended up dropping the close result 2-0 Tuesday afternoon at WakeMed Park.
How it Happened
Notre Dame put together a strong defensive effort in the first half, keeping a lot of numbers back and making it difficult for Florida State to generate chances.
The Irish limited the Seminoles to just five shots in the first 40 minutes and none of them got on frame. The first shot on target came in the 41st minute and Mattie Interian turned it away. Interian made another save moments later to keep the game level.
In the final minute before halftime, Florida State capitalized on a corner kick from the right side. Jenna Nighswonger sent a high ball towards the far post that found the head of Jaelin Howell. Howell sent a header with pace inside the far post for the goal and gave the Seminoles a 1-0 lead at the half.
Notre Dame looked for the equalizer in the opening minutes of the second half and had a good chance in the 56th minute. Maddie Mercado had the first shot that was deflected by a Seminole defender but Luisa Delgado was there to collect the loose ball. She fired a shot that just went wide to the left of goal.
Florida State added its second goal in the 79th minute after getting on the end of a loose ball. Jenna Winebrenner made a great tackle to dispossess a Seminole attacker but Clara Robbins was first to the loose ball. She took a shot from outside the box that deflected off the right post and into the back of the net for the goal to double the Seminoles lead.
Up Next
Notre Dame’s fall season is complete following the quarterfinal loss to the Seminoles. The NCAA Championship will be held in the spring of 2021 instead of this fall. Any additional games the Irish might add in the spring will be announced on und.com and on the Notre Dame Women’s Soccer social channels.
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