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NCAA Weekly: Florida upsets No. 1 Florida State

Florida State and coach Mark Krikorian lost for the first time in a year, again at the hands of Florida. (Photo Copyright Steve Bruno for The Equalizer)

Florida State and coach Mark Krikorian lost for the first time in a year, again at the hands of Florida. (Photo Copyright Steve Bruno for The Equalizer)

Week two of the 2015 women’s college soccer season has come and gone. Here’s a recap of the week’s big games and storylines.

Reigning champions’ unbeaten streak ends

The Florida Gators bested in-state rivals and defending national champions Florida State by a score of 3-2 on Sunday. The Gators took a 3-0 advantage into halftime, courtesy of  goals from Savannah Jordan, Sarah Troccoli and Pamela Begic (penalty kick). Kirsten Crowley and Berglind Thorvaldsdottir got two goals back for the Seminoles in the second half but the reigning national champions were unable to find an equalizer. Florida State’s last two losses have both come at the hands of their in-state rivals. Florida also beat the Seminoles in September 2014. For the Gators, the win was the second time in history that the team has beaten the No. 1-ranked team in the country. The first victory came in 1998, when the Gators upset North Carolina in the 1998 national title game.

Clemson bests South Carolina, 2-1

Florida and Florida State weren’t the only in-state rivals that faced off last weekend. Clemson edged out South Carolina, 2-1 in the Palmetto State on Friday. Savannah McCaskill put the Gamecocks ahead in the 9th minute with a highly skilled finish.  The game changed rather quickly as the Tigers scored twice in the next six minutes to earn the victory. Shannon Horgan’s header served as the equalizer and Catrina Atanda chipped Gamecocks keeper Caroline Kelly for the game winner.

BYU avenges NCAA Tournament loss and sets new attendance record

Although not in-state rivals, Brigham Young University avenged its 2014 NCAA Tournament loss against familiar foe Colorado on Friday night.  BYU earned the victory off two first-half tallies coming from Elena Medeiros and Nadia Gomes. It was a good night in more ways than one for the Cougars, who also set a new attendance record at home of 5,589, besting the old record by more than 175 fans.

Summer Green off to a hot start

Last August, Summer Green dazzled in the U.S. U-20 World Cup group game against Brazil, setting up Lindsey Horan with a brilliant effort for the game’s only goal.  It seemed like the start of a banner year for the Tar Heel, but alas, injury oft kept her off the scoresheet.  The forward managed only 2 goals last season while battling compartment syndrome. The North Carolina senior seems poised to have more of an impact this season for the Tar Heels. Just four games into the season, Green has already doubled her goal production from a year ago.

Savannah Jordan nets four on the weekend

Savannah Jordan went on a tear this weekend. In addition to bagging the opening goal against Florida State, Jordan had a hat trick against Miami on Friday night to lead the Gators to a 4-2 victory. The weekend wasn’t without blemishes, however, as Jordan failed to convert a penalty kick against Florida State. Jordan earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for her efforts. The junior now has 46 goals in 51 matches for the Gators.

Jannelle Flaws becomes Illinois’ all-time leading scorer

It’s been a rather long road for the now all-time leading scorer at Illinois. After red-shirting her freshman year following an injury in high school, scoring three goals in her first season on the field, and another redshirt season in 2012, Flaws netted an incredible 40 goals in her last two seasons with Illinois.  In fact in 2013, she tied for the lead in goals scored in Division I, tallying 23 that season.  Flaws has continued to do damage in 2015. She entered Sunday’s game against St. Louis needing one more goal to best the school record. She got that goal and then added two more for good measure. Flaws has now scored 50 times for the Fighting Illini.

Other notable games:

UCLA vs. Wisconsin

UCLA beat Wisconsin, 2-1 Sunday with goals from Gabbi Miranda and UNC transfer Amber Munerlyn. Rose Lavelle scored Wisconsin’s lone goal of the match.

Penn State vs. Duke

The battle between two of the most talented young teams in country ended scoreless thanks in part to stout goalkeeping by Duke’s EJ Proctor. Proctor recorded 10 saves on the night.

UNC v Texas

North Carolina defeated Texas, 2-0 Friday night. Cameron Castleberry and Joanna Boyles both scored for the Tar Heels less than five minutes into the game.

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