Florida State soccer clinches return trip to College Cup with dramatic OT win vs. Michigan

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Beata Olsson has come up with numerous clutch goals throughout her first season on the Florida State soccer team.

But none will be remembered more than the one she scored on Friday afternoon with 54 seconds left in overtime to send the Seminoles back to the College Cup with a 1-0 victory over visiting Michigan in an NCAA quarterfinal.

Jaelin Howell sent a ball from the far corner of the Wolverines' 18-yard box toward goal. Gabby Carle redirected back toward the goal before it sailed out of bounds and drew out Michigan goal keeper Hillary Beall. This allowed Olsson to come crossing in and fired it into an empty net after Beall had committed to Carle's spot allowing FSU to break the scoreless stalemate after over 99 minutes.

The entire FSU bench emptied on to the field and piled on Olsson in a wild celebration as the Seminoles (20-1-2) secured their 12th trip to the College Cup since 2003 – 11 of which have come with Mark Krikorian as coach – and second in a row.

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"I was actually waiting because that was a great serve from Jae, and what Gabby did was incredible," Olsson said. "I thought about trying to get it myself (off the ball from Howell), but didn't want to risk it."

FSU will now try to finish the job after it fell short this past May in the national championship match in penalty kicks against Santa Clara.

The Seminoles will travel west to Santa Clara for this year’s College Cup, beginning with the semifinals next Friday where they will face Rutgers.

FSU could then face Santa Clara in the final next Sunday if both teams advance. The host Broncos are set to face the winner of the BYU-South Carolina quarterfinal (to be played on Saturday) in the other semifinal.

Florida State Seminoles Yujie Zhao (33) battles a defender to keep possession of the ball. Florida State and Michigan remain scoreless at the half during the NCAA quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.
Florida State Seminoles Yujie Zhao (33) battles a defender to keep possession of the ball. Florida State and Michigan remain scoreless at the half during the NCAA quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.

"It's always an honor to get back to the final four and we're really looking forward to getting that chance again," Carle said.

Late goal arrived after several FSU chances came up empty

The score came as a relief for FSU after multiple opportunities earlier in the game could not find the mark.

And it was vindication for Howell, the reigning Hermann Trophy winner, after she was denied the chance to score a potential game-clincher late in regulation.

When Emily Madril drew a foul from Michigan’s Jayde Riviere within the Wolverines’ 18-yard box, it set up a penalty kick.

Jaelin Howell took the ensuing penalty kick and fired it low and on target near post, but Beall made a diving save to keep the game scoreless with just over 15 minutes left in regulation.

"I thought, after missing that PK, the only way I could keep my head in the game was to think about how I could help my teammates," Howell said. "It's a big credit to them and the composure that we have. After a couple of good chances and that PK (didn't happen), I think it shows we have something special on this team. I feel very fortunate to play with them."

Michigan entered the match having shut out its prior four opponents.

The Wolverines (18-4-3), who were vying for their first trip to the College Cup, forced FSU goal keeper Cristina Roque to make four saves and had eight shots to FSU's 10 despite the Seminoles controlling overall possession.

"They had a wonderful game plan and fantastic execution," Krikorian said. "They're a very well-coached team with quality players all over the field. I left this game as a big fan of what they do. They're a good team with great players."

Florida State nearly scored twice within the first 15 minutes of the match.

Florida State Seminoles Jody Brown (10) fakes out a defender as she moves the ball towards the goal. Florida State and Michigan remain scoreless at the half during the NCAA quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.
Florida State Seminoles Jody Brown (10) fakes out a defender as she moves the ball towards the goal. Florida State and Michigan remain scoreless at the half during the NCAA quarterfinals Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.

In the ninth minute, Beata Olsson deflected a great cross from Clara Robbins but was ruled offside. Seven minutes later, a corner kick by Jenna Nighswonger into traffic appeared to cross the goal line before Beall knocked it away, but it was ruled no goal. The play was reviewed and the call was upheld.

Zhao shows her resilience

Yujie Zhao suffered a leg injury and, according to Krikorian needed to stitches, forcing her to leave the match with 8:18 left in the first half. Zhao was carted off the field at the time and it was unclear if she'd return.

But FSU got a major lift when Zhao was able to come back and re-enter the game with just over 29 minutes left in the second half to a standing ovation. Zhao, who has dealt with some bumps and bruises throughout the season while engaging in physical play including having to get stitches on her head after a match recently, was able to finish the game on the field.

"To lose Yujie for the game would have been challenging," Krikorian said. "That kid has put up with a lot lately, hasn't she? Stitches in her head, now stitches in her leg...I think we have a lot of players that would have stepped forward and done the job, but for our sake and Yujie's sake I'm really glad she was able to come back."

Reach Andre Fernandez at afernandez@tallahassee.com or follow him on Twitter @FernandezAndreC.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU clinches return trip to College Cup with OT win vs. Michigan