LeiLanni Nesbeth and FSU advance to the last eight
LeiLanni Nesbeth and her number one ranked Florida State University team continued their outstanding season by reaching the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 win over number nineteen ranked Pepperdine University on Sunday.
A fifth minute goal by Jamaican forward Jody Brown proved to be the winner at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Tallahassee, Florida as FSU secured their 50th win at home in NCAA post season history.
Meeting Pepperdine for the first time in post season play, the Seminoles were solid in defence, restricting their opponents to just four shots on goal to earn their eleventh shut-out of the season.
Brown continued her scoring streak in post season play, having now bagged a goal in each of the last three games. The move that created the goal was started when Jaelin Howell flicked the ball with her head to Clara Robbins down the right side.
Robbins sent a one-touch ball deep into the Pepperdine half where Brown showed off her impressive speed before getting into the 18-yard box where she then took a touch to pull the ball back to her left foot and then quickly delivered a low, hard strike to the far post. The shot slipped past Pepperdine keeper Zoe Clevely and bounced off the post and into the goal.
The Waves managed to keep the scoreline close as they held the Seminoles at bay during the second half despite several chances being created by the home team.
Beata Olsson of FSU had the best chance of the half on a breakaway, but after approaching the goalkeeper one-on-one and attempting to place the ball in at the far corner, she could only find the post.
Florida State will play number nine ranked Michigan on Friday at the Seminole Soccer Complex in their next match.
As the number one seed, the Seminoles will host the tournament before the College Cup moves to Santa Clara, California for its completion from December 3-5.
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