Every time it seemed like the game had gotten away from Notre Dame, Korbin Albert had answer. The midfielder bagged a hat-trick in the Irish’s 3-3 tie with Florida State, banging in all three of her goals from outside the box. It was one of the best performances of the season, all pace, power and clinical finishing. But it also wasn’t enough on the night, as Florida State eventually won on penalty kicks. Still, Albert’s star showing — and the Seminoles’ nerve in the shootout — made for a compelling ACC Tournament semi final.

The contest was one of eight major matches across the ACC, SEC and Big Ten Thursday evening. Here’s a look at all of them.

Michigan State Edges Nebraska, 2-1

It looked like the angle might be too tight for Courtney Koehler. The Michigan State midfielder strode into the box, but the ball dragged her slightly wide, narrowing her sight at goal. But Koehler wrapped her left foot around the ball, hitting it early and past the Nebraska goalie. Her neat finish was the eventual winner in a gripping contest between the Spartans and Cornhuskers in the Big Ten tournament semi final. Michigan State took the lead within 30 minutes through Koehler, but Nebraska equalized before the break. The Spartans were eventually too much in the final third, though, with Koehler’s second proving to be the difference between the two teams. No. 1 seeded Michigan State was perhaps supposed to be a little more convincing here. Still, it is a credit to Nebraska that the Spartans had to really work for a narrow win. For Michigan State, the dream of completing a regular season and conference tournament double stays alive. Meanwhile, Nebraska awaits its fate, with an at large bid possible — but far from guaranteed.

Penn State Dispatches Northwestern, 2-0

Was this the Penn State many were expecting to see before the season started? The Nittany Lions were fluid, aggressive and energetic in the second Big Ten semi final Thursday evening. They hit early, with Penelope Hocking feeding Kate St. Weisner, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner inside 3 minutes. Hocking was at the center of it all again 17 minutes later, finding Peyton St. Linnehan for the Nittany Lions’ second. Northwestern showed some moments of promise but suffered a big blow when star defender Emma Phillips went off injured. It pushed for a crucial goal in the second half, throwing bodies forward in a more attacking setup. Still, the Wildcats couldn’t find the net, and Penn State saw out the game for a 2-0 win.

Poetry in motion! 🔥🫡🦁#WeAre pic.twitter.com/pnuPq3Flsz

— Penn State Women’s Soccer (@PennStateWSOC) November 3, 2022

Alabama Strikes Late Against Vanderbilt in 2-1 Win

Vanderbilt head coach Darren Ambrose was incensed — and for good reason. It was the 90th minute of Vanderbilt’s SEC tournament clash against regular season title winner’s Alabama, and the referee had pointed to the penalty spot after a coming together in the Vanderbilt box. It was a tight call, one that could have gone either way. And in the 90th minute of a conference tournament semi, it was a crushing blow for Vandy. Alabama’s Riley Parker smashed home the ensuing penalty, giving the Crimson Tide a 2-1 win — and spot in the conference championship. It was a dramatic conclusion for a game that bubbled away for 90 minutes. The Commodores tied the game at 1-1, then defended resolutely for the second half. Alabama created a flurry of chances, hitting the woodwork twice and forcing some dramatic saves out of Sara Wojdelko. The penalty seemed a cruel way to end things, but it was enough to send Alabama through.

89' | Second Half

Riley Parker!!

🐘1
⚓1#RollTide pic.twitter.com/lx77jq6OLS

— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) November 4, 2022

West Virginia Spoils Texas’ Party

It was unclear exactly if Lauren Segalla meant to find the back of the net. The West Virginia forward gambled on a heavy touch, striding towards a ball she might have slightly overhit. She and a Texas defender slid at the same time, and Sehallla deflected the ball past the goalie. It wasn’t the cleanest strike, but there were few complaints from a West Virginia side that had taken a 1-0 lead over the Big 12 favorites. And for the Mountaineers, the one goal lead was sufficient. They defended for the remaining 45 minutes, clogging their own box while also threatening with the occasional counter. In truth, Texas had relatively few chances, with star striker Trinity Byars starved of service for the remainder of proceedings. The Mountaineers have endured a difficult season, but Thursday’s win will send them to the Big 12 championship — and with it, a shot at turning things around.

TCU Breezes Past Oklahoma, 3-0

Everything was fairly simple for TCU in the end. 2 weeks ago, they’d fallen narrowly to this Oklahoma side, ensuing a contest in which they had most of the ball — but nothing to show for it. But here is a team that, quite simply, learned from its mistakes. TCU found a goal early through Gracie Brian and pushed on from there. Seven Castain provided a second before half time, a nice finish from the penalty spot. They could have been more before the interval, but the Horned Frogs couldn’t quite put the game away. There was a brief suggestion that Oklahoma might find some joy after half time. It kept TCU off the board for the first five minutes, and showed moments of attacking intent. But a powerful finish from Messiah Bright quelled any TCU fears. By the end of it all, 3-0 was a deserved result. Things now look relatively good for the Horned Frogs. Their biggest threat to the tournament title, Texas, was upset by West Virginia earlier Thursday. Theoretically, then, the favorable matchup could offer a clear line to some silverware. For a team with the talent to go far, it’s the kind of boost that could set them up for a late run.

6' The Payton Crews to Gracie Brian connection 🤩

Gracie's sixth goal of the season gives No. 17 TCU the 1-0 lead!#GoFrogs | #Big12SOC | @graciemaria0010 pic.twitter.com/iDxQgnbhfG

— TCU Soccer (@TCUSoccer) November 4, 2022

South Carolina Comes Through on Penalty Kicks

The Gamecocks and Georgia played out a tight contest in the other SEC semi final. South Carolina took the lead through the ever reliable Catherine Barry, with the forward running in behind, creating an angle and finishing calmly. Georgia responded, though, with Dani Murguia converting from the spot less in the 75th minute. The remainder of the game offered lots of running, neat passing, but few clear chances. Georgia goalkeeper Jordan brown made six saves, including one diving stop in extra time to deny Barry. The Bulldogs had a couple of looks at the other end, but a typically stout South Carolina defense prevented anything concrete. Ultimately, the Gamecocks had more quality in the shootout. Heather Hinz played hero, stopping three penalties to send South Carolina through.

Florida State, Notre Dame Play Out Thriller

Korbin Albert has been here before. The attacking midfielder seems to enjoy her time against Florida State, finding open spaces between the midfield and defensive lines, and running towards goal. She did so when the two sides met six weeks ago — bagging a brace in a 4-0 win. And Thursday night she was at it again, scoring thrice from outside the box in a remarkable attacking performance.

But it wasn’t enough. Despite Albert’s heroics, Florida State delivered at the other end of the pitch, crafting three goals of its own to send the contest to extra time. In those extra minutes, the tired legs that result from additional minutes of a tournament semi final started to show. Although both teams created some chances, most looks were speculative. Penalties eventually decided things, with Florida State’s Cristina Roque saving two to send the Seminoles to the championship. It was something of a cruel end to one of the best matches of the season. These teams appear evenly matched, and would make for excellent viewing should they meet in the NCAA Tournament. And on Thursday night, both showed exactly why they should be there.

North Carolina(w) Edges Duke(w) on PKs

Thursday's clash between Duke(w) and UNC(w) felt like a proper rivalry. Both sides were issued a red card — and there perhaps could have been more. Tackles flew in. Players yelled at the officials. And at the end of it all, the teams combined for four clear chances. That UNC outshot Duke 22-7 is misleading here. Duke midfielder maggie Graham was sent off right before half time for making a lewd gesture at the referee. UNC was accordingly ball dominant in the second half, but found heavy resistance from a Duke side in the lowest of blocks. Most of those 22 efforts, then, were speculative, half chances, the briefest of looks. Little changed when Talia Dellaperuta was shown a second yellow in the 73rd minute. Such is the depth of UNC that Anson Dorrance's side looked mostly the same team — and possessed with equal intent. Penalties, then, were somewhat inevitable. And UNC simply made theirs when Duke didn't. The teams needed nine rounds to come to a conclusion, but by the end of it all, the Tar Heels were celebrating.