FSU Tops Atlanta 2-1
The Seminoles are 4-1-0 during the 2010 spring exhibition season.

3/25/10

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State defeated the Atlanta Beat 2-1 on Thursday evening in a spring exhibition match at the Seminole Soccer Complex. The match marked the return of former Seminole All-American and 2007 MAC Hermann Trophy winner Mami Yamaguchi as she will make her debut in the Women’s Professional Soccer League in 2010.

Florida State took the early lead on a goal by Tiffany McCarty just 40 seconds into the start of the game. Off a clear by an Atlanta Beat defender, the ball took an unusual bounce as McCarty gathered the ball and one-timed a shot passed Beat goalkeeper Brett Maron.

The Beat had a great chance to tie the game in the 26th as Sophia Mundy tried to sneak a low liner inside the left post, but FSU keeper Kelsey Wys came up with a diving save to keep the Seminole lead at one.

At halftime, the Seminole extended a warm welcome to former Seminole All-American Mami Yamaguchi, who was selected by the Beat in the WPS International Expansion Draft.

With the Noles leading 1-0 following a brief intermission, the Beat went on the attack right at the start of the second half forcing Wys into another save opportunity. Rebecca Nolin sent a header on goal from close range but Wys was there for the save.

Atlanta tied the game in the 52nd minute on a goal by Shelley Thompson. Thompson found the back of the net from eight yards out collecting a rebound off a shot that ricocheted off crossbar.

The Seminoles regained the lead in the 57th minute when Breezy Hupp found Janice Cayman for the game-winner. Following a quick corner, Hupp received a pass at the top of the 18-yard box and played a pass to a wide open Cayman. The Belgium native gathered the pass, took one dribble to her right and sent a bending ball inside the right post for the goal and a 2-1 FSU lead.

Atlanta’s Kerri Hanks tried to redirect a pass from McCall Zerboni in the 75th minute of action but Wys was once again there for the save.

The final scoring chance for the Beat came in the 88th minute off a free kick from 22 yards out. Stacy Bishop blasted a shot toward the near post, but Wys came through with a diving save to keep the Seminole lead intact.