FSU Waits Out Rain For A Win

The #22 ranked Florida State Seminoles (7-5-0, 1-1-0) not only had to fight a tough University of Central Florida squad (9-4-0) trying to protect a five game winning streak, but they also had to take on mother nature. After a 1:45 delay for lightning, the Tribe scored three goals and recorded its second shutout of the season as they won their sixth game in seven outings.

Three different Seminoles scored goals in the 3-0 win. Sophomore Leah Gallegos notched her eighth of the season to put FSU up 1-0. Two defenders then got into the act as Katie Beal and Kristin Boyce both recorded goals. Beal also had an assist to lead FSU with three points.

The only goal of the first half came in the 25th minute. Amber Tollefson, who had two assists versus Virginia, recorded her fifth assist of the year. The senior found Gallegos just to the left of the keeper about 10 yards out. The sophomore striker took a touch as the goalie rushed out. Before she could get to Gallegos, the Los Angeles, CA native hit it past her staking FSU to the 1-0 lead.

The goal was the eighth of the year for Gallegos, which surpasses her freshman total of seven. It also gives her 15 career goals and moves her into a tie for fifth place on the Florida State career goal scoring list. All eight of her goals in 2003 have come in just the last nine games and she now leads the team in points and has twice as many goals as anyone on the team.

In the 50th minute Gallegos set up another goal. Her dangerous run across the top of the box resulted in the UCF defense taking her down, which led to an FSU free kick. Beal lined up for the set piece on the right side about 20 yards away. The junior who had already scored on three free kicks this year sent a beautiful shot to the far post that caught the iron and bounced in.

The junior defender from Alexandria, VA had never scored a goal in her career before 2003. She is now second on the team and her four goals are more than the entire FSU defense recorded in 2002.

Boyce finished the scoring in the 82nd minute off another FSU set piece. Beal took another free kick but drove this one along the top of the 18. Freshman Rachel McDowell flicked the ball back to Boyce who one-timed the shot from 18 yards out.

The Seminoles return to action at home Friday, October 10 versus #13 ranked Duke.