DeLand, Fla. - It was a good night for the Stetson women's soccer team. A 2-1 win over USC Upstate raised its record to 9-6-2 overall, and more importantly, 5-2-2 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. With one game remaining the Hatters have now earned a place in the upcoming A-Sun tournament.
Also on the night, Tessa Gavilsky became Stetson's all-time scoring leader when she tallied the game-tying goal early in the second half. With a minimum of two games remaining in the season the junior out of Granite City, Illinois has already scored 71 career points (26 goals and 19 assists). She surpassed the previous mark of 70 points set by Christy Porcelli from 1996-1999. Gavilsky is number one all-time in assists and is now just one goal shy of leading in that category as well.
"Congratulations to Tessa for her accomplishment. She deserves the attention even though she hates that kind of stuff", said Stetson Head Coach Julie Orlowski. "The most impressive thing about her record is that she has done it from the center midfield position and not as a forward."
Gavilsky's goal came in the 51st minute and was just in time to turn the game around for the Hatters who had struggled to finish a scoring opportunity. Senior Emily Yero (Orlando, Fla.) started the play when she blasted a shot from 25 yards out that deflected off the goalkeeper and back to Gavilsky who did not miss her chance and found the twine. It was the 10th goal of the season for the conference's top scorer.
At the time Stetson was in need of some positive reinforcement after having outshot the Spartans 14-6 in the first half without scoring a goal. USC Upstate (0-18-0, 0-9-0) scored the game's first goal and went into the break with its first halftime lead since August 25, 2008.
While the Spartans played spirited soccer in the first half, it was the Hatters who dominated play in the second. Stetson finished with a 15-2 advantage in shots in the second half and 29-8 overall.
"I have to give them credit", said Orlowski. "That was the best 0-18 team I have ever seen."
Stetson's game-winner came in the 77th minute when Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) scored her third goal of 2009. The ball was played into the box from the right side and bounced around until it found its way to Jenista who headed it home.
As the clock wound down Stetson had only allowed one second half shot and it seemed the game was well in hand. That was whentragedy almost struck. With 15 seconds remaining Upstate's Alyssa Roegner (Shelby Township, Mich.) charged towards the Hatters' goal found herself 1v1 and blasted a shot to the lower left side. Stetson keeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) made the save of the night when she dove at full extension and secured the win for the home team.
"Overall this was a good effort", said Orlowski. "We are in the tournament and now we will play ETSU for seeding on Sunday."
In a close conference finish Stetson could still finish as high as the number one seed with a win on Sunday (1:00 p.m. start).
It was "Play in Pink" night at the Stetson Soccer Complex. The Hatters played in pink jerseys as a show of support for breast cancer awareness.
