DELAND, Fla. – The Stetson Hatters women's soccer team opened its 2025 season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gardner-Webb on Thursday night at the Athletic Training Center. Despite a lightning delay that delayed kickoff nearly two hours, the Hatters came out focused and secured their first clean sheet of the season to start the year 1-0.
Stetson controlled much of the first half, outshooting the Bulldogs 7-4, but neither side could break through before the halftime whistle. That changed early in the second half when freshman midfielder Brooke Voorhees delivered a moment of brilliance. In the 51st minute, she bent in a stunning Olimpico goal directly from a corner kick—her first career goal—giving the Hatters a 1-0 lead.
"Brooke's a special player," Head Coach Jamie Souza said. "We're really lucky to have her, and we're thankful she chose to come to Stetson. Scoring in her first game, in that fashion, should give her a lot of confidence moving forward."
The Hatters' defense stood tall the rest of the way, limiting Gardner-Webb (0-1) to just one shot on goal. Junior goalkeeper Clare Boesel made that lone save and earned the shutout victory.
"Claire had a fantastic game in goal," Souza added. "She didn't have to make many saves, but the work ethic of everyone in front of her made the difference. It was a total team effort—we had to scrap and fight for every single ball."
Souza also praised the Bulldogs' effort: "Eric (Solberg) has that Gardner-Webb team really organized and tough to beat. We knew it would be a challenge after facing them last season."
The Hatters return to action on Thursday, August 21, when they host Colorado State at 7:00 p.m. at the ATC. Fans can follow the game via live stats on GoHatters.com or stream it live on ESPN+.
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.
