DeLand, Fla. ? The Stetson women's soccer team (2-4-1) controlled the game from start to finish and defeated Florida Atlantic (1-4-0) 3-0 Friday night at the Stetson Soccer Complex. It was the first time the Hatters have defeated the Owls since 1999.
Sophomores Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) and Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) led the way for Stetson. Gavilsky, last week's A-Sun Player of the Week, was the offensive star with a goal and two assists. On the defensive end of the field, Garavaglia earned her first shutout of the season facing 13 shots and making seven saves; some of which were spectacular.
“That was a lot of fun,” said Stetson Head Coach Julie Orlowski. “Our defensive effort was much better tonight. Andy pitched a shutout and Alexis (Hermosa) orchestrated play from the back.”
Stetson opened the scoring at 16:38 when junior Heather Berg (Fort Myers, Fla.) scored her second goal of the season. Gavilsky delivered a through pass to Berg who banged a low shot into the right corner for the eventual game-winner.
Still in the first half at 28:06, Gavilsky showed why she is one of the Top Guns in the A-Sun. She intercepted the ball, made a move towards the right side of the field, found an opening, made a sharp turn and drilled a left footer from 25 yards that beat the keeper just under the cross bar. Gavilsky entered the game tied for the conference lead in scoring and finished on top after adding four more points (13 on the season).
The Hatters went into the half with a 2-0 lead. Ask any coach what the toughest lead to hold in a soccer game and she will say two-zero.
Just 3:03 into the second half freshman Crossley Simmons (Winfield, Ill.) set Coach Orlowski at ease by scoring the games third goal for the Hatters and the first of her career. Once again Gavilsky was involved in the action. She flicked the ball through the defense and sent Simmons in all alone. The rookie delivered with a low shot to the short side.
“We showed a lot of maturity coming out in the second half and putting one away early,” said Orlowski.
The teams played even the rest of the way with Garavaglia making the difference with some great saves securing her fourth career shutout. In the end Florida Atlantic led Stetson 13-9 in shots, yet could not finish.
Stetson will be back on the field Sunday at 1:00 p.m. hosting Liberty University. Earlier on the night Liberty lost its game at Division II Florida Southern and fell to 0-5-0 on the season.
