TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team put together a game effort, but it was not enough in a 3-0 loss to top-ranked and defending national champion Florida State in front of 2,194 fans – the fifth-largest crowd in FSU history – Friday night at the FSU Soccer Complex.
 
The Lady Lions (2-1) and the host Seminoles (3-0) endured multiple weather delays totaling 90 minutes. Despite the challenges posed by Mother Nature and facing the nation's premier team, Southeastern head coach Blake Hornbuckle was pleased with his team's effort on Friday.
 
"We did some very nice things tonight," Hornbuckle commented. "We had a couple of good chances that if we could've connected one more pass, we may have been able to tighten the score up. We executed our game plan well throughout. Florida State is extremely talented and kept us on defense for the majority of the match, but we were very pleased with how we were able to respond.
 
"We were very pleased with our players' mentality," Hornbuckle added. "After the match, there wasn't a sense of satisfaction that we hung tough with the best team in the country. Our players knew that there were a couple of missed opportunities."
 
Several Lady Lions earned their coach's' praise for their efforts on Friday.
 
"(Junior) Katie Noonan was an absolute rock along the back line," Hornbuckle said. "She was matched up with an All-American in (FSU senior) Cheyna Williams and was able to limit her effectiveness. (Junior) Hope Sabadash was again extremely strong in goal.
 
"We were once again pleased with the play on the ball of (senior) Gisenia Utreras." Hornbuckle continued. "(Senior) Kayla Vera had a good night and did a nice job getting us forward. (Junior) Marisa Rodrigues made a couple of great runs in the first half and we were just unfortunate not to be able to get her the ball."
 
Sabadash finished with seven saves in the loss. Utreras was credited with two shots, while Vera and sophomore Maggie Ramsey each had a shot apiece.
 
FSU jumped out to an early lead just under two minutes in. Freshman Kaycie Tillman sent a shot past Sabadash to give the Seminoles the early lead.
 
After a lengthy weather delay, FSU was able to score another goal heading into halftime. Freshman Natalia Kuikka knocked in a shot from 18 yards out to give the 'Noles a 2-0 lead.
 
FSU added to its advantage 10 minutes into the second half. Junior Kirsten Crowley headed in a corner kick by freshman Megan Connolly to give Florida State a 3-0 cushion.
 
Southeastern would make sure the margin would not grow, holding the No. 1 Seminoles scoreless for the match's final 35 minutes.
 
SLU will return to action on Tuesday, hosting in-state rival Southern at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium. LionVision subscribers will be able to access a live video stream of Tuesday's match at LionSports.net. Admission to all SLU home soccer matches is free.