The Stetson women's soccer team defeated Belmont University 2-1 to go 2-0 on the Nashville road trip. The Hatters have won three games in a row and four of its last five.
The Bruins were forced to play catch up all afternoon after Stetson took the early lead with two goals. Junior Sarah Isley (Ft. Myers, Fla.) struck first at 5:07. Senior Sarah Stock (Deltona, Fla.) penetrated down the left flank to all the way to the end line before dropping a pass to junior Stephanie Webb (Portsmouth, England). Webb took the pass and flicked the ball into the box where Isley first-timed it into the goal. It was Isley's inaugural goal of the season and second of her collegiate career. For Webb, it was her second assist in as many games.
Just over ten minutes later (15:58) there was a scrum in the box at the Bruins end of the field. Stock pounced on the ball near the penalty spot and powered it past Belmont goalkeeper Micaela Crowley, and into the back of the net. The unassisted goal was the seventh of the season for Stock. She now has 16 points on the season and 51 for her career moving her past Emma Astrom into third place all-time in the Stetson record book.
“In the first half we had to play into a strong (15-20 mph) wind and we were still able to score two goals”, said Hatters Head Coach Julie Orlowski. “We had a great team effort top to bottom. I was especially impressed with the play of our midfielders and forwards who dominated all weekend. Tessa (Gavilsky), Emily (Yero) and Katie (Bitetto) were fantastic.”
For the game Stetson led the Bruins in shots 8-5. Belmont held the advantage in corner kicks 4-1.
“I am very pleased that we came up here and won two games on the road. We are finding ways to win”, said Orlowski. “We will be excited to come home, finish the season, and continue this winning streak right on into the conference tournament.”
Stetson is now 6-8-1 overall and 4-4-0 in A-Sun play. Belmont drops to 10-5-1 and 4-4-0. The Hatters will now return home and finish the regular season by hosting USC Upstate (10/26), East Tennessee State (10/28), and Florida Gulf Coast (11/3).
