Sports > November 1, 2007

By Greg Mantell | Staff writer

A rain-soaked Senior Night at Spry Stadium Oct. 24, was made all the more eventful when sophomore Jill Hutchinson buried the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation as the No. 18 women’s soccer team completed a monumental upset over the then-No.10 Florida State Seminoles, 3-2.

The victory marks the first time that women’s soccer has beaten FSU since 2002. With the win, the Deacs rose four spots in the Top 25 rankings and to fifth place in the ACC standings. They are now 4-2-2 in conference play and 9-5-4 overall.

Rainfall throughout the night could not dampen the team’s spirits though, as Wake recognized the incredible effort of the team’s six seniors prior to the game.

The slick field as a result of the rain also aided each team’s offense. Florida State took advantage of the turf first when FSU’s Amanda DaCosta fired the ball past freshman goalkeeper Amanda Barasha for the game’s first goal in the 16 minute.

But less than 60 seconds later, Wake tied the game when junior Amy Smerdizinski scored off of a rebound shot by Sarah Winslow. The goal was Smerdizinski’s third of the season.

The Seminoles, however, took in the lead into halftime after FSU’s Kirsten van de Ven put another short-range goal past Barasha in the 33 minute, giving Florida State the 2-1 lead.

However, the Deacs came back in the 61 minute with a barrage of shots that resulted in one finally landing in the net off the foot of Hutchinson.

Head Coach Tony de Luz credited the relentless effort for the seniors on this special night for the upset win.

“The leadership from the seniors, from top to bottom, that group can really relate to all the classes,” de Luz said. “They want their year to be successful. So everyone collectively is pitching in. Everyone’s making the right play at the right time. Coming off of the bench, they’re doing a great job.”

But with only 2:30 remaining in the match, the slight showers that fell all night turned into downpours, and lightning began to strike in the area. After a 45-minute delay, the Deacons began a relentless offensive attack. In the game’s final minute, senior Ashley Burney connected on a perfect cross to Hutchinson. She fired, but after a tremendous save by FSU keeper Erin McNulty, Hutchinson knocked home the rebound to score the game-winner for her second goal of the game and her team-leading tenth of the season. Her incredible effort in the comeback victory knotted her ACC Player of the Week honors alongside BC’s Natalie Crutchfield.

The women’s soccer team’s final two opponents in the regular season include the N.C. State Wolfpack in Raleigh Nov. 1 and the Miami Hurricanes at home Nov. 4. Da Luz is taking a somewhat relaxed approach in preparing his team for the ACC Tournament, coming up on Nov. 7.

“We’re taking days off whenever we can,” he said. “That’s what we did last week. We took two days off before the Florida State game and I think it rejuvenated them, both mentally and physically.”

If the Deacons maintain their fifth-place standing in the ACC, they would face off against Miami in the first round of the tournament.