Macon, Ga. - Trailing 1-0 late in the game, Stetson scored three goals in the final seven minutes to defeat conference-foe Mercer. In the end the 3-2 win evened the Hatters' overall record at 5-5-0, and improved their conference mark to 1-1-0. The Bears dropped to 4-5-1 and 0-3-0 on the season.
In a span of 41 seconds Junior Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville, Fla.) scored the go-ahead goal and assisted on the eventual game winner.
Mercer scored in the 17th minute to take an early lead that held up until 83:12 when Stetson freshman Kassandra Hartwick (Granite City, Ill.) tallied the first goal of her young career. Mercer cleared Stetson's final corner kick, but not far enough. Hartwick took advantage by pouncing on the clear and tying the game 1-1.
Less than two minutes later the Bears were pushing forward in an attempt to get their lead back. Bitetto managed to get behind the defense and Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) played a brilliant through ball to send her in alone. It was Bitetto's third goal of the season.
Not willing to settle for a one-goal lead, Stetson struck again just 41 seconds later. At 85:44 sophomore Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) scored the first goal of her career. Once again the Hatters took advantage of a Bears team that was pushing forward in an attempt to regain control of the game. Bitetto intercepted and started a counter attack with a perfectly timed ball through to Jenista who dribbled down half the pitch and through the attacking zone to put the game out of reach at 3-1.
"This was a great come from behind win. A great comeback after the way we played on Friday", said Stetson head Coach Julie Orlowski.
As it turned out the game was not quite out of reach however, as Mercer lined up a penalty kick with one minute and five seconds remaining. The shot that should have brought the home team to within one was turned away by Hatters' goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) with a clutch save. Garavaglia finished the game with an impressive 10 saves.
Mercer continued to press and did manage to score one more goal fifteen seconds later to make the final score 3-2.
"It has been great to see a lot of different players getting into the scoring column for us this year", said Orlowski.
Eight Hatters have scored at least one goal this season.
"Now we come home to play Campbell on Thursday. We only have two more conference games on the road. Hopefully we can ride this momentum and turn it into a good showing in conference", added Orlowski.
Stetson plays six of its final eight A-Sun games in DeLand with just a trip to Nashville left on the schedule. A four-game A-Sun home stand begins with Campbell on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m.
