Leilanni Nesbeth and her second-ranked Florida State University Women’s Soccer teammates remain unbeaten through the first five games with a 4-1 win over Pitt during a cold rainy night in Pittsburgh.
For the second straight game, Florida State got on the board in the first 10 minutes. Sophomore Nesbeth hit one into the back of the net for the third time this season on a rocket from close to 30 yards out. After redshirt senior Malia Berkely dribbled the ball up the middle of the field she turned and passed it out left to Nesbeth. After making a move back towards the center of the field, Nesbeth launched one into the bottom left corner.
Pitt would tie the game just before the half on a goal from Madison Clayton, assisted by Amanda West in the 45th minute. It was the first goal of the season let up by Florida State.
Florida State regained the lead in the 56th minute on a goal by Kristina Lynch after a lot of confusion by the officials. Malia Berkely kicked a nice ball over the Pitt defense on a set piece to the far post that Lynch was able to redirect with her head into the back of the net. Lynch was called offside originally but the ball hit off a Pitt player’s head nullifying the call by the officials and resulting in the FSU goal.
Florida State expanded their lead to 3-1 in the 69th minute on Jenna Nighswonger’s second goal of the season. Yujia Zhao played one into Lynch just outside the six-yard box who then passed it back out to Nighswonger at the penalty spot and she took a quick strike into the back of the net.
Nighswonger would get Florida State on the board for the fourth time with her second goal of the night in the 80th minute. Gabby Carle bombed a pass from just around midfield that would end up at the foot of Brown who would be one on one with a Pitt defender who would make a nice save. Nighswonger would get the rebound at the top of the 18-yard box and chip it over the Pitt defense to give them a 4-1 lead.
