In preparation of Friday's regular season opener at Florida International, the Stetson women's soccer team competed in a scrimmage against one of Orlando City Soccer Club's youth boys teams on Sunday evening.

The two teams played a pair of 30 minute frames, as well as a third that was shortened due to lightning in the area. The Hatters performed well, but it was Orlando City that came away victorious in the scrimmage.  The boys put away a few goals in two of the periods, but Stetson wasn't without their own chances.

During the final frame a couple of Hatters nearly came away with goals.  Junior Alyssa Welsh received a ball 25 yards from the net, turned and fired one over the Orlando City goalkeeper, but unfortunately it was also just barely over the goal.  Only a few minutes later, freshman Mara Keomanivane received a ball near the right corner of the box and fired one just left of the post.

Stetson didn't just look good on offense.  Junior Victoria Troccoli made a couple of big saves in goal for the Hatters.  The transfer from Drexel was very impressive not only in her shot stopping ability, but also in leading the team from the back line.

"It's such a great value to be able to play against someone who doesn't know what you're doing," Head Coach Julie Orlowski said.  "I think we did really well adjusting to the speed of play from the boys."  Orlowski went on to praise her goalkeeper's performance saying, "Victoria [Trocolli] really was a presence back there, which is what we've been looking for from her."

Julie Orlowski Interview