FSU Defeats Portland in NCAA Tournament Action
Senior Janice Cayman notches a goal and an assist as the Seminoles move on to the third round.

11/18/11

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (seminoles.com) – Florida State ran out to an early 2-0 lead with two goals in the first 16 minutes of the game as the Seminoles (16-6-1) defeated Portland (9-10-2) 3-1 Friday evening in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

“We took control of the game with good attacking play and solid defending,” said Florida State head coach Mark Krikorian. “We hoped to come out strong and put some pressure on Portland (early) trying to create some play up front with good attacking chances.

“Obviously, it’s always a big help to be able to score early, but when we went and played at Portland, we scored early and they came back to win the game. One goal is not safe against a team of that quality. I thought our group was good and consistent on the attack. Overall, I thought it was a nice match to watch and a good game from top to bottom.”

Janice Cayman continued her hot hand in the NCAA Tournament as she led all players with three points on a goal and an assist in leading the Seminoles into the third round for the seventh year in a row and 10th time in 12 all-time NCAA appearances.

Cayman, a native of Brasschaat, Belgium, scored the first goal of the game in the ninth minute, her second of the tournament, and followed with the eventual game-winning assist on a goal by Dagny Brynjarsdottir in the 16th minute. Freshman Kristin Grubka accounted for the third Seminole goal giving FSU a 3-0 lead in the second half.

With the win, FSU extended its unbeaten streak to a season best eight games (7-0-1), while avenging an early season loss to the Pilots in Portland by a 2-1 score.

The Garnet & Gold out shot Portland 14-8, while both teams recorded one corner each. Grubka led all players on Friday with four shots and Cayman had three shots with two going on goal.

Kelsey Wys made four saves in goal as she improved to 14-5-1 on the year.

Florida State grabbed the early lead when Cayman one-timed a cross from Tiffany McCarty down on the end line to give FSU a 1-0 lead. Tori Huster began the scoring play as she looped a pass to McCarty. The Laurel, Md., native beat a Pilot defender to the end line on the right side of the pitch before firing a cross to the far side of the box where Cayman found the back of the net for her seventh goal of the season. McCarty and Huster were credited with assists on the play.

“We came out strong and were ready to fight,” said Cayman. “We had multiple good attacks already on the right flank and I think Tori passed the ball to Tiff, who made a really good run. She played the ball in like we asked her to, so I just had to put it in the back of the net.”

The Seminoles added to their lead in the 16th minute when Brynjarsdottir scored on a header off a pass from Cayman. The senior midfielder beat her defender with a nice move toward the inside of the 18-yard box before flipping a pass to Brynjarsdottir, who used all of 5-10.5 frame to flick a shot off her head and inside the left post just beyond the outstretched hands of DeYoung. The goal was the freshman midfielder’s fourth goal of the season.

“My first ball failed, but then I got it back and saw Dagny make a movement backwards,” said Cayman. “I just placed it on her head and she did the rest to finish it for the goal.”

Huster registered the first shot of the game firing wide of the upper left corner in the seventh minute of play. Forty-five seconds later Brynjarsdottir recorded her first shot of the game sending a ball on goal from just inside the 18-yard box, but Portland’s Hailee DeYoung was there for the save.

The Pilots recorded their first shot of the game in the 15th minute when Rebekah Kurle sent a shot high and over the head of Seminole keeper Kelsey Wys.

A near defensive miscue in the 35th minute almost gave Portland its first goal of the game, but Wys came sliding out at the top of the box to grab the ball and thwart a near break away opportunity for the Pilots’ Kaila Cameli.

Three minutes later, Cameli sent a bending shot on goal from about 20 yards out but Wys was there for the diving save to keep the Pilots off the scoreboard.

The Seminoles went into the half with a two-goal advantage and a 7-4 lead in shots.

Florida State padded its lead in the 59th minute as Grubka blasted a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box to give the Seminoles a three-goal advantage. Off a Florida State corner, Tiana Brockway sent a pass into the box where Katie Riley settled the ball at the feet of Grubka. The freshman midfielder fired a low liner inside the right post for her third goal of the season. Brockway and Riley combined for the assist on the goal.

“That was a really good goal because it makes it more, not to say comfortable, but gives us more confidence,” added Cayman. “It certainly helped us from a defensive point of view.”

In the 85th minute, Portland got on the board on a nice individual effort by Taylor Brooke. Brooke made a nice move toward the inside of the box and took a few dribbles across the field before bending a left footed shot inside the left post for the goal.

“It’s always comforting the more goals you get,” added Wys. “It was unfortunate to give up that last goal, but I think my team made it pretty easy for me tonight. I thank them for all their hard work.”

Florida State will now await the winner of Memphis/Louisville in a third round match-up on Sunday, November 20. Game time is slated for 2:00 CT.