DELAND, Fla. - In an exhilarating match under the Saturday night lights at the Athletic Training Center, the Stetson Hatters took on the Lipscomb Bisons in a thrilling showdown to close out their home regular season schedule on October 21, 2023. The Stetson Hatters, with a record of 5-5-4, were determined to secure their spot in the ASUN Playoffs as they faced the formidable Bisons, who stood atop the conference standings. With a potential opportunity to host in the playoffs if they could clinch the #2 seed, the Hatters left no stone unturned. The game unfolded as the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team during Homecoming Weekend, creating an electric atmosphere at the pitch.
The Hatters wasted no time setting the tone as they struck first, as they've done eight times before this season. In the 34th minute, freshman midfielder Afonso Conde found the back of the net, courtesy of an assist from Haya Yoshizawa. The Bisons, eager to respond, applied pressure towards the end of the first half, unleashing a pair of shots on goal. However, Stetson's sophomore goalkeeper, Nicolo Radaelli, successfully fended off the Bisons' attempts.
The first half remained a tightly contested battle, with both teams managing to take four shots. The Bisons managed to place two shots on target, while the Hatters registered one. The scoreboard read 1-0 in favor of the home team as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw Lipscomb applying early pressure, and in the 52nd minute, a crucial foul inside the box resulted in a penalty kick goal for the Bisons, leveling the game at 1-1. Minutes later, Alessandro Gabbani came agonizingly close to regaining the lead for Stetson with a powerful midfield shot that struck the crossbar.
The Hatters persisted in their offensive onslaught, with shots on goal from Yoshizawa, Gabbani, Charles Ahl, Luis Lara, Xavi Csato, and Giuseppe Croce. The Lipscomb keeper stood tall, thwarting every attempt and ensuring that the score remained deadlocked.
The turning point arrived in the 87th minute when Andres Mata, a key figure in the Hatters' offense all season, found the back of the net, seizing the go-ahead goal on an assist from Csato, who was recently recognized in the Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Freshman list. This pivotal goal was Mata's seventh of the season, and Csato's assist marked his fourth.
The Hatters weren't done yet. Just two minutes later, Conde notched his second goal of the game, sealing the victory for Stetson, with Csato providing his second assist of the night and fifth of the season.
Stetson was relentless in their offensive efforts, outshooting the Bisons 21-12 in total (with a 14-6 advantage in shots on goal). The second half, in particular, saw a flurry of shots from the Hatters, with 17 attempts. Lara and Gabbani led the charge with five and four shots, respectively. In goal, Radaelli was a steadfast presence, making five saves on the night and ensuring Stetson's victory.
With this memorable win, Stetson improved their home record to 5-2-2 for the season, and the potential to host in the playoffs looms large as they aim for the coveted #2 seed. Their journey continues as they prepare to finish off the regular season on the road, facing the Bellarmine Knights on October 28, 2023, at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. The Hatters are in high spirits, hoping to carry this momentum into the playoffs.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
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