LOUISVILLE, KY - In a thrilling and tension-filled ASUN Championship Semifinal match on Monday night, the Stetson Hatters faced a closely contested battle against the Bellarmine Knights, who previously knocked Stetson out of the playoffs a season ago. Unfortunately, the Hatters fell short again in a 3-2 defeat, ending their quest to reach the finals for the first time since 2018.
The game witnessed a dramatic start as the Hatters, eager to reverse their past defeats to the Knights, jumped to an early 2-0 lead. Afonso Conde, a member of the All-Freshman team, ignited the scoreboard, netting a goal at the 3:55-minute mark, assisted by Luis Lara. The freshman, Conde's previous goal against Jacksonville showcased his growing impact within the team.
The Hatters continued their early onslaught with a brilliant header from Alvaro Gabancho, capitalizing on a corner kick delivered by Xavi Csato and Charles Ahl, who both secured assists. Gabancho's recurring success with header goals on corner kicks proved pivotal, similar to his opening goal in the prior game against the Dolphins.
Despite the Hatters' initial lead, the Knights fought back, narrowing the score to 2-1 in the 40th minute. The second half witnessed relentless offensive efforts from the Hatters, unleashing a barrage of shots, but none found the mark on goal. As the game progressed, the Knights managed to equalize at 2-2 in the 83rd minute, ultimately forcing the match into overtime.
Following a tense first overtime period, the game extended into a second overtime. Tragically, a costly penalty awarded to the Knights within the box resulted in a decisive penalty kick goal in the 105th minute. Despite the Hatters' persistent efforts, they were unable to counter, leading to a heartbreaking end to their season.
Despite the loss, Stetson's offensive prowess was evident, outshooting the Knights by a margin of 19-14. Andres Mata led the charge, attempting four shots throughout the game. Not far behind, Luis Lara and Alessandro Gabbani contributed three shots each, with Lara among the five Hatters who managed a shot on goal
In goal, Nicolo Radaelli, after an impressive season, made four saves during the contest.
The Hatters ultimately conclude their season with a record of 7-7-4, including a 3-2-2 record in conference play.
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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