JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a defensive battle that stretched through 110 scoreless minutes, the Stetson men's soccer team fell 4-3 in penalty kicks to top-seeded North Florida on a chilly Monday night at Hodges Stadium in the ASUN Championship Semifinals.
Both sides traded opportunities throughout regulation and overtime, but neither could find the breakthrough. Stetson outshot UNF 15-11, while graduate goalkeeper Nicolò Radaelli turned in another strong performance, recording three saves to secure his third clean sheet of the season.
In the penalty shootout, both goalkeepers made early stops before Dominik Topolsky opened the scoring for Stetson. Zsombor Pall and Andres Freire followed with composed finishes to keep the Hatters level at 3-3, but North Florida ultimately prevailed 4-3 to advance, ending Stetson's postseason run in dramatic fashion.
Benjamin Donato and Pall each registered two shots on the night, while the Hatters' back line—anchored by veterans Giuseppe Croce and Ross Appolon—held firm to post the team's third shutout of the year.
With the result, Stetson closes its 2025 campaign at 6-8-3 overall, marking its ninth consecutive appearance in the ASUN Championship.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
