JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stetson men's soccer rallied from an early deficit to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over Central Arkansas on Saturday night at Hodges Stadium, advancing to the ASUN Championship Semifinals.
The Hatters, who trailed 1-0 less than ten minutes into the match, flipped the momentum in the second half behind goals from Zsombor Pall and Dominik Topolsky — scoring twice in a two-minute span to complete the comeback.
Central Arkansas struck first in the 9th minute as Pietro Fontana found the back of the net off a setup from Devonte Richards. Stetson remained composed, creating several dangerous chances before finally breaking through in the 54th minute. Pall, the senior forward, buried his sixth goal of the season to even the score at one apiece.
Just two minutes later, Topolsky delivered the go-ahead strike — his second of the season — to give Stetson its first lead of the night. From there, the Hatters locked in defensively, holding off a late push from the Bears to preserve the 2-1 win.
Graduate goalkeeper Nicolò Radaelli anchored the back line with four key saves on seven shots faced, while the Hatters totaled eight shots on target.
With the victory, Stetson improves to 6-8-2 on the year and advances to face host North Florida in the ASUN Championship Semifinals on Monday night in Jacksonville.
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.
