No. 20 Women's Soccer Falls to No. 4 Florida State

Sunday, October 23

Pittsburgh, PA

1:00 PM

Pitt

12-4-1, 5-3-1

Florida State

11-2-2, 7-2-0

Florida St.

Pittsburgh

No. 20 Women's Soccer Falls to No. 4 Florida State

10/23/2022 3:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Gamebook (PDF)

PITTSBURGH - The No. 20-ranked Pitt women's soccer team (12-4-1, 5-3-1 ACC) suffered its first home loss of the 2022 season Sunday at Ambrose Urbanic Field, falling to No. 4-ranked Florida State (11-2-2, 7-2-0 ACC), 1-0, in a hard-fought battle.

"I was extremely proud of our team today," head coach Randy Waldrum said. "We have shown that we can now play with anyone in the country. This performance, like the Duke performance, was fantastic, and even though we didn't get the results, we had the chances to win."

The Panthers and Seminoles played an evenly contested opening 45 minutes of play, with the Seminoles possessing the ball 58 percent of the half while the Panthers possessed it for 42 percent of play. Florida State attempted nine shots with just two coming on goal while Pitt held a 2-1 edge in in corner opportunities.

Pitt had several quality chances in the first 20 minutes of the second half but could not cash in. Florida State then broke through on a goal by Leilanni Nesbeth in the 67^th minute to make it 1-0 in favor of the Seminoles.

The Panthers made a final push to try to find the equalizer in the final four minutes of play. A shot by Samiah Phiri in the 87th minute was blocked. Pitt earned a corner opportunity that led by a shot by Landy Mertz being blocked in the 88th minute. Keera Melenhorst was then fouled 10 seconds later just outside the penalty box, leading to a free kick by Ellie Coffield that just missed its mark and hit the crossbar. Pitt got one final shot off in the 90th minute, but the attempt by Ashton Gordon was off target.

Florida State ended the contest with 14 shots, four of which came on goal, while Pitt finished with 13 shots and four shots on goal.

"Defensively, our back four was very good and really contained their attack, which is so potent. I thought offensively the chances we created were dangerous, and we were unfortunate not to put a couple away," Waldrum said.

Mertz led Pitt with four shots and two shots on goal while Coffield, Phiri and Gordon each logged two shots.

Jenna Nighswonger led Florida State with a game-high five shots.

Caitlyn Lazzarini registered three saves for the Panthers while Mia Justus tallied a game-high four saves for the Seminoles.

UP NEXT
Pitt hosts Clemson next Thursday in its final game of the 2022 regular season. First touch is slated for 7 p.m. The matchup will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $5 or purchased on gameday for $8 at the Petersen Sports Complex Ticket Office.

"Now our focus is on a massive game against Clemson on Thursday and a chance to wrap up an ACC berth," Waldrum said. "Our fans have been fantastic, and we need them on Thursday night."

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