In a battle for first place in the ACC, the No. 2 North Carolina women’s soccer team picked up a 2-1 road win against No. 4 Florida State on Thursday night in Tallahassee.
What happened?
The Tar Heels first scoring opportunity came in the opening minute when first-year forward Ally Sentnor worked her way into the left side of box, but her attempt went by without a threat. Minutes later, Florida State played a pass into midfielder Jenna Nighswonger, who sent a through ball into the feet of Onyi Echegini. The junior midfielder got behind the UNC defense and rolled a shot past Emmie Allen to give the Seminoles an early 1-0 lead.
The Seminoles continued to apply pressure, which led to a yellow card by UNC senior defender Maggie Pierce in the 22nd minute. Florida State attempted a low free kick from just outside the box, but the shot skipped past the net. In the 28th minute, the Seminoles played a low cross near the net that was deflected away by UNC’s Abby Allen before a header on the ensuing corner attempt went over the crossbar.
After a quick defensive stop, the Tar Heels were finally able to launch a counter attack in the 32nd minute. With only one player between her and the goal, Sentnor fired a left-footed shot that went off the hand of the Seminole defender, which drew a penalty kick. Seconds later, UNC senior defender Tori Hansen calmly stepped into the box and drilled a high shot just the past outstretched arm of FSU’s Cristina Roque to tie the game at one goal apiece.
With just under 10 minutes left in the half, Nighswonger sent a long over-the-top pass to Echegini, who nearly scored her second goal of the night before Allen knocked the shot away. Both teams had several offensive chances in the final minutes yet wound up entering the break with the score at 1-1.
Florida State had the first opportunity to score in the second half, but Nighswonger's shot sailed high. Several minutes later, the Seminoles had another prime scoring chance after Emmie Allen misplayed a pass back to her inside the box before FSU's Beata Olsson took control of the ball and launched a shot that rang off the left post.
On the next trip down the field, UNC launched another abrupt counter attack that resulted in Sentnor dancing her way into the box. Taking on two defenders, she dribbled left and sent a strike into the top-right corner to put the Tar Heels ahead with 30 minutes to play.
Five minutes later, Olsson attempted a header that was saved by Allen. Both teams continued to build chances, yet each try was shut down by the opposing defense for the next 10 minutes.
