The 22nd-ranked Florida State soccer team returned to ACC play on the road after a short break, facing Louisville in a matchup that ended in a 0-0 tie Sunday afternoon.
The tie moved the Seminoles to 4-1-3 on the season, while Louisville moved to 8-1-2. FSU entered the matchup 11-0-0 all-time against the Cardinals, with Sunday’s result moving the series record to 11-0-1.
Florida State started Kate Ockene in goal with Janet Okeke, Nyah Rose, Nawreen Ahmad and Grace Hoytink on the back line. Peyton McGovern,
Shaneil Buckley and Nyanya Touray started in the midfield, while Tanner Strickland, Sam Erbach and Wrianna Hudson led the attack.
The Seminoles had some familiar faces return to the lineup, including Okeke following her time representing Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Hoytink also made her Seminole debut after transferring from Kentucky. The former Wildcat started alongside her former Kentucky teammate Strickland on the right side.
Ahmad earned her second start of the season after previously starting against FIU. At the 24:18 mark, Bridget Mutipula entered on the back line, making her first appearance for the Seminoles in several weeks after returning from the U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she also played for Canada.
As the first half continued, FSU started to gain more momentum and create opportunities around Louisville’s goal. Erbach helped create one of the Seminoles’ better chances in transition, finding Touray, who then got the ball to Buckley, but FSU came up short.
Erbach later stepped up for a free kick, but Louisville goalkeeper Brielle Baker came up with the save.
Louisville held a 2-0 advantage in first-half shots and had two corner kicks compared to one for FSU. The Seminoles had six fouls, while the Cardinals had four.
Louisville came out quickly to start the second half, putting a shot on goal less than a minute in.
FSU started creating more opportunities as the half continued, with Buckley recording the Seminoles’ first shot on goal. She later had another opportunity in the 73rd minute, but Baker was there for the save.
With the game still scoreless late, Ockene came up with a big save in the 81st minute to keep Louisville off the board. Hudson answered with an opportunity for the Seminoles just minutes later, but her shot went over the goal.
Both teams finished with one shot on goal, but Louisville held the advantage in total shots, 9-3. The Cardinals also finished with eight corner kicks compared to two for the Seminoles.
FSU will remain on the road next Sunday, traveling to Clemson for a 3:30 p.m. matchup on Oct. 4. After tying its first two ACC games of the season, the Seminoles will look to pick up their first conference win against the Tigers.
