DeLand, Fla. ? Friday night the Stetson women's soccer team dropped a hard fought game against Atlantic Sun Conference rival Belmont University.
Belmont struck first with an easy goal three minutes and 30 seconds into the game. The Bruins worked the ball into the box on a short cross that became tangled in Garavaglia's feet and deflected right to Jamie Loftis (Hermitage, Tenn.) who flicked home a left footer from 10 yards out.
Belmont increased its lead to 2-0 at 32:32 after another Hatter miscue. An errant clear by the Stetson defense deflected back into the box to Gretchen Sutch (Knoxville, Tenn.) who ended with a breakaway and her second goal of the season.
Seven minutes later at 39:56 Stetson's Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) added to her conference-leading point total with an unassisted goal. After finding an opening in front she let go with a left footer that was saved by the goalkeeper. Gavilsky picked up the rebound and put it home with her right. It was Gavilsky's 10th goal of the season (24 points).
The teams battled to a scoreless tie in the second half with Stetson holding a 7-6 advantage in shots. For the game Stetson finished with 14 shots to 10 for Belmont.
“We lost this game in the first 20 minutes. It was discouraging to give up two early goals,” said Stetson Head Coach Julie Orlowski. “We made a nice comeback to make it 2-1, but it wasn't enough”.
Stetson goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) faced six shots on goal coming up with four saves. Emily Yero (Orlando, Fla.) led the way offensively with four shots followed by Gavilsky and freshman Crossley Simmons (Winfield, Ill.) with three each.
With the loss Stetson dropped to 5-7-2 overall and 3-3-0 in conference play. Belmont raised its mark to 9-5-1 and 4-2-1.
Stetson will be back in action on Sunday when it hosts Lipscomb University in the last home game of the season. It will be senior day as the Hatters honor its six seniors who will be playing in their final home contest.
“We were on the other side of luck in this game. The good thing is that we don't have to wait to long for redemption with a game against Lipscomb on Sunday,” said Orlowski.
