DeLand, Fla. ? The Stetson women's soccer team (1-4-1) came from behind Sunday and earned its first victory of the season 3-2 over Embry-Riddle (1-1-0). Sophomore Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) led the way for the Hatters with a pair of goals. Gavilsky leads the team and is among the conference leaders in scoring with nine points (4 goals, 1 assist).
Stetson had to play from behind most of the game after the visiting Eagles jumped out to an early lead with two goals by Elina Johannsson (Strangnas, Sweden) at 15:18 and 19:47 of the first half.
“I have to give them credit, they were prepared to play,” said Stetson Head Coach Julie Orlowski. “Due to some early cancellations, this was only their second game of the season. I am glad we didn't schedule them later on in the year. Samantha (Baggett) is a very good coach who prepares her players well.”
With 5:27 remaining in the first half Gavilsky put the Hatters on the scoreboard. Freshman Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) made a brilliant run up the middle left and fed the ball through to Gavilsky. Gavilsky made a move around one defender moved to the center and blasted a shot past Eagles keeper Dina Roper (Pembroke Pines, Fla.).
The Hatters came out of the break with a game-plan and renewed vigor on a hot and steamy day at the Stetson Soccer Complex. The majority of play in the second half was in the Eagles end of the field. After trailing 10-7 in shots in the first half, Stetson led 11-5 in the second.
At 66:40 junior Heather Berg (Fort Myers, Fla.) led an offensive charge and dealt the ball to Gavilsky who powered another shot into the back of the net to even the score at two.
“Tessa carried a huge work load in the second half,” said Orlowski. “She was a warrior who battled with intensity out there.”
Four minutes later the Hatters took the lead. While Gavilsky was being double-teamed on the near post, senior Bethany Kiedis (West Palm Beach, Fla.) made a perfect cross from the right side to freshman Samantha Snyder (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) who was parked near the far post. Snyder delivered a textbook header into the net for the game-winner.
“A lot of credit goes to Sam Snyder on that play and all day today. After zero minutes at USF she stepped up and played all 90 minutes today and put home the winner,” said Orlowski.
Today's game was the first of a five-game home stand. Next up for the Hatters will be Florida Atlantic at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19.
