FSU soccer takes road win over Texas A&M on late goal

No. 6 FSU soccer got its season off on the right foot with a 2-1 road victory over Texas A&M Thursday night.

The game began with FSU controlling the possession, however, the first sign of adversity appeared early in the game when Claire Rain went down with an apparent knee injury.

She wouldn’t return, and Texas A&M seemed to use that as fuel, getting a prime opportunity on an FSU miscue about five minutes later.

The FSU defender tried to wall off an A&M player near the FSU goal instead of clearing the ball, and the A&M player fought through to take the ball and dished off to a streaking A&M player in front of the goal, but the shot missed high. That instance seemed to wake FSU up, and they began to turn up the pressure in customary FSU fashion.

The next few minutes took place largely, with FSU controlling the action on A&M’s half, missing a couple of opportunities. However, the pressure finally broke through in the 24th minute on a goal by Beata Olsson.

Olsson’s shot deflected off a defender just outside the box in front of the A&M goal and went just over the outstretched arms of the A&M goalie.

Olsson’s shot deflected off a defender just outside the box in front of the A&M goal and went just over the outstretched arms of the A&M goalie. Texas A&M scored an equalizer in the 40th minute off a header just in front of the FSU goal. It was poor defense on FSU’s behalf. However, they haven’t had their entire team together, so I can understand some miscommunication or lapses in the first few games.

The goal put FSU on its heels, and A&M’s confidence grew as they put pressure on the Noles early in the second half, narrowly missing a shot just left of the goal. FSU had a prime opportunity in the 69th minute, with Joe Echegini controlling a ball off her chest and touch pass to create separation for a shot that went off the crossbar.

It was an ELITE move. However, FSU kept their poise and broke through with the game-winner in the 86th minute on a beautiful pass from near midfield over two defenders.

The Noles played keep-away over the final few minutes to seal the deal. FSU will travel to face No. 9 TCU on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.