CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Stetson women's soccer earned its first ASUN victory of the season Sunday afternoon with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Queens at the Queens Sports Complex. The result also marked the first collegiate win and clean sheet for freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Caprez, who anchored a stout Hatter defense.

"This was a conference game to a tee. We had to scrap and fight for every inch, and we stood up to the test when called upon. We had good value in being up 1-0 to a fantastic finish by Avery and we then threatened the backline a few times finishing the first half on top. In the second half we knew it was going to be a dog fight. Mackenzie made a huge double save, and Lily made a fantastic clearance off the line. It would be remiss of me to not mention Hailey Shelly's huge last-ditch tackle in the first half. We showed great character and personality and deserved to come away with three points," said Head Coach Jamie Souza.

The Hatters wasted little time making their mark. In the 16th minute, Avery Wise broke through the Royals' back line to net her second goal of the year and give Stetson an early advantage. The Hatters continued to create opportunities throughout the opening frame, earning multiple corner kicks and forcing Queens to defend in numbers while limiting the Royals' chances on goal.

Caprez was key in preserving the lead, stopping six shots overall, including first-half saves on efforts from Helena Merkle and Juliana Hunter. In the second half, she came up big again with timely stops against Ansleigh Prell and McKayla Budion as Queens pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The freshman keeper's composure under pressure helped steady the back line and kept the Royals off the scoreboard.

Wise led the attack with two shots, including the game-winner, while Sophia Baldwin added another attempt as Stetson managed to hold its lead despite being outshot 13-3. The Hatters' organized defensive effort and ability to absorb pressure late proved decisive as they secured their first conference win of the year.

Stetson will now return to DeLand looking to build on the momentum. The Hatters host North Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Athletic Training Center in their first ASUN home match of the season.

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.