The Stetson women's soccer team (3-8-1, 1-2-1) battled
through 110 minutes against Atlantic Sun Conference foe Lipscomb (2-7-3, 0-3-1)
on Sunday afternoon. The Hatters were
unable to tally a late goal against the Bisons, and were left with a 1-1 tie in
double overtime.
Stetson was on the offensive from the start, recording 10
shots to Lipscomb's seven through the first 45 minutes of play. A couple of early chances by freshman Mara
Keomanivane and junior Alyssa Welsh forced Bison goalkeeper Erin Zerio to make
a couple of tough saves before 10 minutes had passed.
It wasn't until just before the break, though, that the
Hatters were able to take an advantage on the scoreboard. Sophomore Katie O'Kennedy, who was playing in
just her second game of the season, tallied her first score of the year with
just one minute and 45 seconds to play in the first frame.
O'Kennedy saw some action on Friday against Northern Kentucky, but Stetson's leading score from a
year ago really made her return to the grind on Sunday. The forward played 60 minutes as she
continued to work her way back from injury, and after stealing the ball from a
Lipscomb defender she ripped a shot past Zerio to the far post and into the
back of the net.
"It feels amazing," O'Kennedy said of being back on the
field. "I've had to put in a lot of hard
work but it feels good to get back out there."
The Hatters one-goal advantage at the half was short lived
once the two teams made their way back onto the field. Lipscomb responded with a goal in the 56th
minute to tie the game at 1-1. Baylee
Linnell, who was showing off her strength on throw-ins all day, tossed one in
to Caroline Chadwell as she beat the Stetson defense and placed the ball passed
junior Victoria Troccoli.
An extremely physical contest, neither squad quit before the
final buzzer of the second overtime sounded.
In the final moments of the game Welsh received a ball in front of the
goal and gave the Hatters their best chance to pull off the victory, but her
shot missed just high and Stetson was held to one point against the Bisons.
SU outshot Lipscomb 21-16 for the game, and recorded six
corner kicks to LU's three. Troccoli
totaled five saves in the contest, while Zerio finished with seven.
"We're a little disappointed with the result, because we had
opportunities to win the game," Assistant Coach Stephanie Webb said. "Our girls are disappointed because they
worked really hard, and ultimately deserved the win."
Stetson will next head on the road for three straight A-Sun
tilts. The Hatters play at Jacksonville on October 5, at North Florida on Oct. 7, and
at Florida Gulf Coast
on October 13.
Coach Webb Interview
Katie O'Kennedy Interview
