DeLand, Fla. - Hatters' top gun Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) scored a goal and added a pair of assists in Stetson's 4-2 win over the University of North Florida Friday night in DeLand. With the win Stetson improved to 7-6-0 overall and 3-2-0 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. UNF fell to 5-8-1 and 2-3-0 on the season.
Just over seven minutes into the game Heather Berg (Fort Myers, Fla.) was the recipient of an unselfish pass by Gavilsky and did not waste the opportunity. The play was started by Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) with a one-touch pass to Gavilsky who was 1v1 with the UNF keeper. Rather than taking the shot she made a short cross to Berg on the left side of the box for an easy goal and a 1-0 lead.
After 23 minutes of back-and-forth play the Ospreys tied the score on a 25 yard left footer by Katelin Swift (Jacksonville, Fla.). Less than two minutes later Stetson regained momentum, as well as the lead when freshman Kassandra Hartwick (Granite City, Ill.) tallied her second goal of the season. She pounced on an Emily Ware (St. Petersburg, Fla.) cross and buried a one-timer from the left side of the box.
Continuing the, if you can do it, I can do it theme of the first half, UNF's Kristin Rhodes (Orlando, Fla.) tied the game once more with an assist from Michele Larrinaga (Tampa, Fla.) and sent the game into halftime tied 2-2. The second period of play, however, was all Hatters.
At 62:25 senior Emily Yero (Orlando, Fla.) scored the eventual game-winner with Gavilsky picking up her second assist. The play was the result of a Stetson corner kick by Kristen Higel (St. Augustine, Fla.). Gavilsky worked her way into perfect position in the goalmouth to receive the corner. She drove a header that ricocheted off the keeper to Yero who pounded it into the back of the net for her third goal of 2009.
Not wanting to miss the goal scoring party Gavilsky picked up some insurance at 83:20, her eighth of the season. Her left footer from 15 yards was set up by Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville, Fla.) who delivered her team-leading seventh assist of the year.
"Team-wise a great effort tonight", said Stetson head Coach Julie Orlowski. "A lot of credit to our players for holding them off at the end. We played a smart last 20 minutes of the game."
"Elise Ketcham was the player of the game. After a tough result last week against Gulf Coast she came out and showed she is a team leader with a lot of character and hard work", she added.
Next up Stetson will host Jacksonville Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
"Now we need to regroup and come back for a tough game against JU squad on Sunday. They are a much improved team from last year", said Orlowski.
