One year removed from knocking off then-No. 2 Florida State, Boston College women’s soccer traveled to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on another ranked Seminoles team on Thursday. The Eagles were looking for their third ACC victory, but instead were dealt their worst loss to FSU in 12 years.
Both teams created numerous goal-scoring opportunities, but it was the Seminoles who got on the board early and often. FSU scored two first-half goals and netted a third in the latter portion of play to close out a 3-0 shutout.
Although the game ended with a comfortable shutout for No. 16 FSU (9-2-0, 4-1-0 Atlantic Coast), the first half opened up with good energy from both teams. The Seminoles constantly used the width of the pitch to attack up the flanks and find open players in the heart of the field, awaiting a cross in BC (8-5-1, 2-2-1) territory.
In the sixth minute, FSU midfielder Kaycie Tillman found forward Deyn Castellanos in the penalty area with a perfect cross, right to her feet. Castellanos whipped up a shot, and even though it didn’t end up in the back of the net, it quickly showed the Eagles that the Seminoles were on the attack.
Shortly after, in the 14th minute, FSU’s’ offensive efforts were rewarded with a penalty kick, when Emily Madril was tripped by BC defender Madison Kenny. Glori Villalobos stepped up to take the kick, and sent a beauty to the upper-left corner, past Eagles goalkeeper Alexis Bryant.
BC quickly retaliated. Seconds later, Olivia Vaughn ripped a powerful shot from outside the box, forcing FSU goalkeeper Cassie Miller to make a tough save.
The next 30 minutes yielded scoring opportunities for both teams, but the Eagles couldn’t find a way to disrupt Florida State’s effective possession-based offense. Despite the Seminoles’ dominance, BC responded with relentless aggression, both offensively and defensively.
But right before intermission, FSU add to its lead. In the 44th minute, Madril sped down the right flank. Dribbling through two BC defenders inside the penalty area, she sent a beamer on the ground to the lower left side of the net. The ball snuck past Bryant for the Seminoles second goal of the game.
After the break, BC pressured FSU’s backline. The game turned into a back-and-forth affair, with possession shifting from one team to the other, until the Seminoles ultimately took control.
FSU continued to outshoot the Eagles. Eventually, its persistence paid off. In the 65th minute, Dallas Dorosy took advantage of a scramble in the box when BC defenders failed to clear a cross sent in from the left flank. Dorosy got a foot on the ball and blasted one to the lower-right side of the net—her fourth goal of the season.
Up 3-0, the Seminoles played possession and staunch defense for the remainder of the match to hold on for their ninth win of the year.
While the Eagles had more than a few chances on goal, their inability to convert, despite recording 10 corner kicks, cost them the game. All season, BC has struggled to consistently finish on the offensive end. The scoring opportunities are there, game-after-game. It’s just a matter of whether or not someone cashes in.
Featured Image by Jake Catania / Heights Staff
