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DeLand, Fla. - It was a disappointing end to Stetson's senior day after Belmont scored with just 54 seconds remaining in the second overtime and pulled out a 2-1 come-from-behind win. With the loss the Hatters fell to 7-9-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Bruins improved to 4-11-0 overall and 3-6-0 in league play.
"Obviously a disappointing way to go out. Have to give Belmont credit they fought really hard all day. They have kind of been a hard luck team this season. They are a very good team that has been unfortunate", said Stetson head coach Julie Orlowski.
Stetson struck first with a set piece goal by Crossley Simmons (Winfield, Ill.) three minutes into the game. Kaisi Hartwick (Granite City, Ill.) took a corner kick and lofted it across the box to Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) who one-timed it to Simmons 25 yards out. Simmons ripped a shot topside right that struck the cross bar, bounced down and then back up over the line and into the top netting.
"That was a great finish by Crossley", said Orlowski. "She has worked very hard and earned that goal today."
Stetson was able to hold off Belmont until the 63rd minute when Bailey Kimball (Vestavia Hills, Ala.) smacked a left footer inside the near post from 25 yards.
The physical game continued on through regulation and into overtime. Stetson had a pair of quality chances in the first extra period, yet could not put one home. As the clock wound down into the final minute of the second overtime Belmont's Kailee Hawkins (Raleigh, N.C.) delivered a perfect cross into the box for a header into the top right by Meagan Rock (Madison, Miss.).
"We had our chances to win yet couldn't put the ball away. Our backs played well and Andi made a couple of great saves that kept us in the game", said Orlowski.
The Bruins outshot the Hatters 27-14 and finished with a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks. Stetson goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) finished with nine saves.
Next week Stetson will travel to Fort Myers for the final game of the regular season on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. The Hatters will wait to see how the week's games play out to find out where they will play their opening round game of the A-Sun tournament.
Sunday was Senior Day and the final home game for seniors Tessa Gavilsky, Kristen Higel, Andi Garavaglia, Katie Bitetto, Natalie Simon, Jenny Agranoff, Rachel Allen, Mary Salfer-Hobbs and Lindsay Jowers.
