Notre Dame-Florida State women's semifinal preview

• by Soccer America , Nov 29, 2006

Soccer America continues its preview of this week's Men's and Women's College Cup semifinals. After yesterday's look at the North Carolina-UCLA game, we preview the second women's semifinal game on Friday in Cary, N.C., between top-ranked Notre Dame and Florida State. The Irish combine experience on defense with an explosive attack led by the nation's top two scorers, Kerri Hanks and Michele Weissenhofer. Florida State lost, 4-0, in last year's semifinals -- a defeat the Seminoles blame to nerves. They're back with a seasoned team led by six national team players. Here's a look at the probables with their stats (G-A-P).

NOTRE DAME (24-0-1)

GOALKEEPER
6 LAUREN KARAS (Jr., Flower Mound, Texas) 0.32 GAA
Ranks second in the country in goals-against average.

DEFENDERS
4 KIM LORENZEN (Sr., Naperville, Ill.) 0-1-1
Captain is oldest of four regulars from Naperville, former Chicago Fire home.
8 HALEY FORD (Fr., Midland, Texas) 0-1-1
Former Dallas Texans captain took over in middle for injured Carrie Dew.
12 ASHLEY JONES (Jr., Westlake Village, Calif.) 2-5-9
''Poster child'' for student-athlete with 3.96 GPA in accounting.
18 CHRISTIE SHANER (Sr., Ambler, Pa.) 0-1-1
Left back played only 26 minutes in first three postseason games.

MIDFIELDERS
5 AMANDA CINALLI (Jr., Maple Heights, Ohio) 11-4-26
Moved from frontline in switch with Brittany Bock.
9 JEN BUCZKOWSKI (Sr., Elk Grove, Ill.) 1-13-15
Shares Irish record for consecutive games played (101).
24 JILL KRIVACEK (Sr., Geneva, Ill.) 4-6-14
Defensive midfielder has increased her range this year.

FORWARDS
2 KERRI HANKS (Soph., Allen, Texas) 22-20-64
On pace to become the seventh DI player to score 100 career goals.
10 BRITTANY BOCK (Soph., Naperville, Ill.) 11-6-28
Nearly half (11 of 23) of career goals have come on headers.
11 MICHELE WEISSENHOFER (Fr., Naperville, Ill.) 18-17 53
Second behind Hanks on national scoring charts.

KEY RESERVES
Amanda Clark (Fr., Naperville, Ill.) is another freshman to play a lot of minutes in pressure situations. Courtney Rosen (Fr., Brecksville, Ohio) is a key reserve in midfield. Forward Susan Pinnick (Soph., South Bend, Ind.) recovered from 2004 van crash with Carmel Commotion teammates to play for Irish.

FLORIDA STATE (18-3-4)

GOALKEEPER
0 ALI MIMS (Sr., Ponte Vedra, Fla.) 0.59 GAA
Sixth-year senior has 20 shutouts in her career.

DEFENDERS
5 SARAH WAGENFUHR (Soph., Colorado Springs, Colo.) 0-1-1
Makes up for lack of size (only 5-foot-3) with good jumping ability.
7 KATRIN SCHMIDT (Jr., Germany) 5-3-13
Scored hat trick in postseason opener against Jacksonville.
12 LIBBY GIANESKIS (Jr., Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 1-0-2
Blossomed in middle of defense after summer in W-League.
19 BECKY EDWARDS (Fr., Downingtown, Pa.) 1-8-10
First collegiate goal won quarterfinal match against Clemson.

MIDFIELDERS
10 KELLY ROWLAND (Sr., Wallingford, Pa.) 5-3-13
Former center back has 87 consecutive starts, an FSU record.
14 KIRSTEN VAN DE VEN (Jr., Netherlands) 1-3-5
Began her college career at Quinnipiac.
18 MAMI YAMAGUCHI (Soph., Japan) 6-4-16
Along with Schmidt, gives Noles big presence on left side.
22 TOBY RANCK (Sr., Wayne, Pa.) 0-3-3
Started 12 games in 2006; 14 in first three seasons.

FORWARDS
2 INDIA TROTTER (Sr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 7-3-17
Only player besides Rowland to start at '03 and '05 College Cups.
8 SELIN KURALAY (Jr., Australia) 13-3-29
Has assisted on game-winners in two postseason matches.

KEY RESERVES
Iraia Iturregi (Jr., Spain) started on the right side of midfield until injuring ankle in ACC Tournament.Onnie Trusty (Fr., Media, Pa.) saw increased playing time as she recovered from hip surgery.Holy Peltzer (Jr., Lake Mary, Fla.) can play on the wing or up front.