Mobile, Ala. - Friday night in the first game of the Port City Classic Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) scored her fifth goal of the season, Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) registered her fourth shutout of the season, and the Hatters won their fourth game of the season 1-0 over Jackson State.
For the seventh time in seven Stetson women's soccer games this season, a shutout was registered; four times the Hatters (4-3-0) have come out on top.
"We had to hold on to the end tonight. They were very athletic and really gave us a challenge in certain parts of the field", said Stetson Head Coach Julie Orlowski. "Towards the end Katie Bitetto played very well, while freshmen Christina Cromwell, and Kassandra Hartwick continued to impress."
For the second consecutive game it was a corner kick that made the difference in the game for the Hatters. With just under five minutes remaining in the first half Emily Ware (St. Petersburg, Fla.) lined up a corner kick and delivered a precise cross into the box. Gavilsky positioned herself perfectly in the center of the goalmouth for a game-winning header to the back of the net.
It was the second assist of the season for Ware. And, for Gavilsky, the goal increased her Atlantic Sun Conference-leading point total to 12.
"While it is good that our set pieces are providing some goals for us, we should have been a little better finishing today", said Orlowski.
Stetson finished with 10 shots to six for Jackson State. Of the 10 shots produced by the Hatters, seven were on goal.
"We had multiple opportunities in the run of play", added Orlowski.
Stetson goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia had another tremendous game with three saves and another shutout. Just seven games into the season she has already equaled her 2008 total of four shutouts and is currently tied for the conference lead in that category.
Stetson will rest up on Saturday and get ready to take on tournament-host South Alabama on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
"South Alabama will be a good match for us. We look forward to coming home with two wins. Hopefully we will be back at full strength. We still have a few kids that are sick or ailing", said Orlowski.
A video feed of Sunday's game will be available online for Hatters' fans. Look for the link within the Live Events tab on the front page of GoHatters.com.
