Soccer Ties Auburn 1-1 in the Home Opener

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The No. 2 Florida State soccer team (1-0-2) tied No. 16 Auburn (2-0-1) 1-1 on Thursday after a two-hour lightning delay at the Seminole Soccer Complex.

Heather Payne scored the solo tally for the Seminoles, marking her third career goal. Cristina Roque improved her unbeaten career record to 28-0-8. Dating back to 2011, Florida State is 113-7-8 in the last 128 matches played at home.

The Seminoles came out eager in the opening minutes, registering three shots in the first 14 minutes, two of which came from Beata Olsson and one from Clara Robbins. The Seminoles were inches away from the opening goal when Jody Brown nailed the crossbar with a shot on the receiving end of a cross from Ran Iwai. Emma Bissell attempted to clean up the rebound when she was fouled by a Tiger defender resulting in a penalty kick for the Seminoles. Payne slotted the ball from the penalty mark, giving FSU a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

The Seminoles entered the locker room at halftime with the lead, 70 percent of the possession, and five shots to Auburn’s three. In the 47^th minute, Lauren Flynn sent a pass down the left side to Brown and then Brown quickly redirected it to Jenna Nighswonger in the midfield. Nighswonger’s shot missed by mere inches, hitting the goalpost once again.

Auburn responded in the 62^nd minute, scoring off a set piece with a header from Sydnie Thibodaux. The Seminoles attempted to regain the advantage many times, coming up short every time. In the 83^rd minute, Nighswonger sliced a ball past the Tiger defense, finding Brown on an island. Brown took the keeper on one-on-one and shot just wide on the right side. The Seminoles’ last quality chance came in the 88^th minute once again by Brown. This time the Tiger’s goalkeeper came up big with a save leading to a Seminole corner.

Florida State ended the match with 17 shots and 10 on goal compared to Auburn’s six shots and three on goal.

Next Up:

Florida State heads to Gainesville to take on the University of Florida on Sunday, September 4 at 5 pm.

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