CARY, N.C. – It was a top-5 nationally ranked showdown and a rematch between No. 3 seed Notre Dame (14-2-3) and No. 2 seed Florida State (12-2-3), this time in the ACC Tournament semifinals. Down 2-1 at the half, the Irish rallied behind an incredible performance from ACC Midfielder of the Year Korbin Albert to take a 3-2 lead. However, the Seminoles leveled before regulation then eventually won the penalty-kick shootout 4-2.
Albert recorded her first career hat trick and made the world notice in doing so, with all three being impressive finishes. Furthermore, her second and third goals were scored just 27 seconds apart. Albert continues to make quite the case in winning the Mac Hermann Trophy, scoring now 11 goals over the final eight games. She now boasts a team best 13 goals.
For the Irish, it was certainly a gutsy performance in a back-and-forth battle that one could argue Notre Dame dictated for most of it. In fact, the Irish outshot the Seminoles, 28-18.
Now, the Irish will await their NCAA Tournament seeding on Monday and whether its a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. Either way, postseason soccer is coming to Alumni Stadium, starting next weekend.
How It Happened
Florida State got on the board first in the 13th minute after taking advantage of a Notre Dame turnover in the Irish’s half of the field. Then a nice cross into the box lead to a well-placed header that goalkeeper MacKenzie Wood could do nothing about.
Yet, the Notre Dame response was immediate and with an exclamation point. Just one minute later, Albert hit an absolute rocket from distance that soared over the goalie and into the side-netting.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the 32nd minute, this time in the Seminoles favor. Florida State sent a long ball into the box and as the Notre Dame defender went to block a shot, the Seminole player faked and was tripped. The resulting penalty kick was converted by Heather Payne.
Despite being down 2-1 at half, the Irish did possess the ball more in Florida State’s half and created more chances. Maddie Mercado had a few cracks from outside the box. Albert had a left-footed shot inside the box but right at the keeper. Then with two minutes left before halftime, Caroline Gray had an opportunity right at the edge of the 18 as her shot was punched over the net by the keeper.
Seven minutes into the second half and Olivia Wingate got her first crack on net. With Albert possessing the ball, multiple FSU defenders converged freeing up Wingate on the left side. Wingate ripped a shot from inside the box but right at the keeper.
Then Albert’s magic struck in the 57th minutes. The first one – nifty footwork to set up a laser of a shot. The second – a masterclass in dribbling with speed and another missle of a shot.
The 73rd minute was when FSU got its third goal to level. Once again, it was a stretch of bad luck around the Irish goal and a wrong tip to the wrong spot.
Fast forward to the penalty shootout and both teams’ keepers made saves in round one – note that Ashley Naylor once again subbed in for the moment. Yet, Florida State’s keeper made another pivotal save in the fourth round to essentially clinch it.
– ND –