DeLand, Fla. ? It was a good day for Stetson women's soccer. With a goal and an assist Stetson's Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) set the team record for points in a season. Head Coach Julie Orlowski picked up the 100th win of her career. Six seniors were honored prior to their final home game and the Hatters (6-7-2, 4-3-0) earned a 2-0 victory over Lipscomb University (4-10-2, 2-5-1).
Stetson scored the game's first goal at 35:25 of the first half. Gavilsky picked up the ball and made a quick run down the right edge of the box. She crossed the ball to the center where Emily Ware (St. Petersburg, Fla.) delivered a low shot past the Bison keeper for her third goal of the season.
“Going into this game we were appreciative of Lipscomb's success so far this season. We knew we would have to stay focused for 90 minutes” said Orlowski. “Once we scored that first goal and took a little pressure off we were able to relax a bit.”
Early in the second half Stetson was able to ease the pressure further with a Gavilsky goal. At 51:58 she was set up in left half of the box by a nifty pass from Emily Yero (Orlando, Fla.). Gavilsky pounded a right-footer topside and Stetson had all it would need for the 2-0 win.
Gavilsky's goal and assist raised her 2008 scoring total to 27 points (11 goals, 5 assists) and elevated her to #1 all-time in the Stetson record book for points in a season. The previous mark of 25 points was set by Melissa This in 1996 and equaled by Kristy Porcelli in 1999. She is one goal shy of Porcelli's season record of 12 also set in 1999.
“Tessa has proven to be a goal scorer who works hard for her opportunities,” said Orlowski. “She is very humble. I am sure she appreciated getting the assist more than the goal.”
Stetson controlled the game from start to finish leading Lipscomb 17-2 in shots, 9-1 in shots on goal, and 12-2 in corner kicks.
The Hatters defense would not allow the Bisons to penetrate its end of the field. Goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) picked up her 4th shutout of the season and freshman defender Alexis Hermosa (Orlando, Fla.) was outstanding.
Other than improving Stetson's placement in the A-Sun standings, the most significant result of the game was that it was the 100th win in the career of Coach Orlowski.
Finally, not to be forgotten... Today was senior day at the Stetson Soccer Complex. Seniors Frances Ching (Lehigh Acres, Fla.), Cleo Collange (Delray Beach, Fla.), Stephanie Webb (Portsmouth, England), Rachel Sweeney (Falls Church, Va.), Sarah Isley (Fort Myers, Fla.) and Bethany Kiedis (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) all played in their final home game for the Hatters. For many the highlight of senior day was when Webb entered the game and saw her first action since the second game of the season when she suffered a serious knee injury.
Stetson will finish the regular season with a trio of road games. Next weekend the Hatters will travel to ETSU on Friday (4:00 p.m.) and USC Upstate on Sunday (2:00 p.m.). Their final game will be on November 1 at Florida Gulf Coast (5:00 p.m.).
