TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – No. 3 Florida State (8-1-1, 1-0-1 ACC) continued to find success at the Seminole Soccer Complex and extended its home unbeaten streak to 16 games with a 3-1 victory on Friday night over No. 7/6 Clemson (7-1-1, 1-1-0 ACC). Freshman forward Megan Connolly led all scorers with four points, assisting on the first two goals of the night for FSU and scoring the final one for the Seminoles.

 

The conference win also marked the 13th-straight ACC match without a loss for the Seminoles as FSU has a record of 11-0-2 in ACC play, dating back to October 31, 2013. Clemson hadn’t allowed more than one goal in a game all season and hasn’t surrendered three goals in a match since October 6, 2013 in a 3-0 loss at Virginia.

 

“We limited their opportunities, but they are a Top 10 team,” said head coach Mark Krikorian. “They are a very well-coached team, very organized and talented all over the place. We feel great coming out with a win tonight.”

 

Florida State got on the board early as freshman midfielder Kaycie Tillman scored at 1:52 to give the Seminoles a 1-0 advantage. The scoring chance started as Elin Jensen crossed a ball to Connolly at the top of the box. The Cork, Ireland native worked around the defender and took a shot that was steered into the left post by Clemson goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Tillman was quickly on top of the rebound and put it into the back of the net for the third goal of her career.

 

It was the quickest goal of the season for Florida State, narrowly edging out Tillman’s first goal of the season, which came 1:53 into the match against Southeastern Louisiana on August 28.

 

The Noles had another quality scoring chance in the 11th minute as Emma Koivisto took a shot from 20 yards that was blocked out to Michaela Hahn. Hahn’s follow-up strike ended up going just wide of the goal.

 

Clemson tied the game at 1-1 on an FSU own goal at 24:03. Shannon Horgan dribbled down the left side and served a cross into the box. The ball ended up going off an FSU defender and into the net to tie the game. The goal was the first allowed by FSU in 470:40 minutes of playing time, dating back to a goal by Texas A&M on September 4, 2015. The scoreless streak is the fifth longest in FSU history.

 

Clemson had a great opportunity in the 35th minute as Paige Reckert made a run down the middle of the field to get behind the FSU backline. Redshirt junior defender Kirsten Crowley made an excellent challenge and forced Reckert off the ball to allow FSU goalkeeper Cassie Miller to take possession.

 

The half came to an end with minimal action, as only one shot was taken in the last 20:57 of the first period – a header by Clemson’s Jenna Weston. Florida State led 6-1 in shots and 5-4 in corners at the break.

 

Much like the first half, the Seminoles struck quickly to open the second half. Megan Campbell served a long ball in from midfield to Connolly near the top of the box. Connolly flicked the ball over Clemson backline to Cheyna Williams, who drove a shot under the keeper to give FSU a 2-1 lead at 46:42. It was Williams’ fourth goal of the season and Connolly’s second assist of the game and sixth of the season.

 

“I don’t think there’s a coach in the country that wouldn’t take being able to score in the first two minutes of each half,” Krikorian said. “I think that relaxes the team a little bit. We came into the half at 1-1, and knew it would take another goal (to win). Cheyna getting in behind and finishing took some of the pressure off and allowed us to be more comfortable with the ball.”

 

A flurry of offense for FSU in the 65th minute nearly ended up with a goal as the Noles were awarded a corner kick and Hahn’s ensuing shot went squarely off the crossbar. The ball bounced out to Connolly whose strike was saved by CU’s Sheridan.

 

The match was physical from the beginning, and Clemson was issued two yellow cards along with one for Florida State for the game. A foul in the box by Clemson’s Katie Sprouse in the 68th minute allowed the Seminoles to make it a 3-1 match on a penalty kick goal by Connolly.

 

Connolly ended with four points – one goal and two assists – and leads the team with 14 points on the season. In her last two matches for Florida State, including versus RV/No. 22 UCF, she has scored three goals and posted two assists. She also competed last week in Europe for the Republic of Ireland U19 team where she scored five goals in three games.

 

“I thought Megan Connolly might have been the best player on the field tonight,” added Krikorian. “She’s controlling the tempo of the game for us and being dangerous, creating opportunity after opportunity. I thought her quality was fantastic tonight.”

 

“I just go out and try to give my best the whole time and contribute to the team,” said Connolly. “I’m trying every game to keep improving and hopefully I can contribute more to the team. The talent (in the ACC) is second to none, so you have to bring your A-game the whole time. The whole team has to work together to win it, and you saw that here tonight.”

 

The Seminoles hit the road as the ACC season continues on Sunday, September 27 as FSU takes on No. 16/7 Notre Dame (8-1-1, 1-1-0 ACC) at 1 pm at Alumni Stadium. The match will be streamed for free online through WatchND and live stats will be offered on GameTracker.

 

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