CARY, N.C. – Three straight penalty shootouts proved a bridge too far for Florida State as Santa Clara claimed the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship with a 4-1 shootout win following a 2-1 draw at Wakemed Soccer Park on Monday night.
Florida State was put from behind right away as Clara Robbins could only find the post from her opening shot, which was followed by Emily Madril who did the same, putting the Seminoles 2-0 down after two shots. That left Izzy D’Aquila to step up and score the winner.
The opener came in the 63rd minute as Jenna Nighswonger hit a shot that perfectly snuck in off the post. Florida State ran the ball up the left allowing Yujie Zhao to set up Nighswonger who controlled with her first and promptly scored with her second, gaining enough space to curl it past the keeper.
Six minutes from time Santa Clara had the match back on level terms, Kelsey Turnbow, who had been threatening all match, intercepted a pass from Emily Madril. That left enough space for Turnbow to capitalize and score with a shot into the bottom left corner, sending the match to extra time.
On the 25th minute, Florida State nearly had the lead as a good ball across the face forced a run onto the ball that was well saved by the keeper. Moments later the Seminoles had a shout for a penalty that was denied. Clara Robbins ran into the box from the right and was seemingly felled by her defender only for the referee to say that Robbins dragged her leg to induce contact.
The Seminoles dominated possession in the latter part of the first half with the ball barely leaving their half. It was all too easy for Florida State but the side struggled to make those chances count.
Despite that if not for Cristina Roque the Floridian side would have been behind. Turnbow was starring for the Broncos and made a phenomenal run at the heart of the FSU defense, she turned past her defender and looked to hit it above Roque who stood firm.
In the 37th minute, Florida State had a golden opportunity as a foul was called on the edge of the area following a 50-50 battle for possession but Ran Iwai sent her shot right into the wall.
With three minutes left in the first half of extra time, the Seminoles went for a winner, but with all 11 Broncos packing the box it was difficult. Space was hard to come by forcing FSU players to shoot from difficult angles as the Santa Clara defenders put their bodies on the line. Zhao could have been the hero at the death of the half as her shot from distance rattled the crossbar, keeping it 1-1.
With only 3 minutes to play, Lauren Flynn fouled Turnbow right on the edge of the area but again the wall did its job, unfooled by the step over.
The win ended 20 years of hurt for Santa Clara putting the Broncos firmly back on the map with their second NCAA Championship win.
Photo: Santa Clara University
Florida Soccer Report 