DELAND, Fla. — The Hatters are rolling.
Stetson extended its winning streak to three matches Saturday night, answering a Jacksonville comeback with an early second-half winner from freshman defender Junior Essengue to secure a 3-2 ASUN victory at the Stetson Athletic Training Center.
After seeing an early 2-0 advantage disappear before halftime, the Hatters wasted little time responding. Essengue struck shortly after the break for his first collegiate goal, finishing a perfectly placed cross from Benjamin Donato to put Stetson back in front for good.
From there, the Hatters made the one-goal advantage stand.
Jacksonville continued to press for an equalizer late, generating seven attacking actions between the 81st and 89th minutes, but Stetson's defense held firm to preserve the victory. The Dolphins were held scoreless throughout the second half as the Hatters improved to 5-6-2 overall and evened their ASUN record at 3-3-0.
The win continued a dramatic turnaround for a Stetson side that has found another gear offensively over the last week. After scoring nine goals through its first 10 matches, Stetson has erupted for 11 during its current three-match winning streak, following 4-1 and 4-2 road victories over Lipscomb and South Florida with another three-goal performance Saturday.
Afonso Conde remained at the center of that surge.
The senior opened the scoring in the 18th minute, creating the opportunity himself before finishing for his fifth goal of the season. Conde has now scored three times over the last three matches after recording a brace in the victory at Lipscomb.
The Hatters needed less than six minutes to strike again.
With 23:30 showing on the clock, Valentin Fontaine collected the ball near the edge of the attacking third and fired from just outside the corner of the box, beating the Jacksonville goalkeeper to double Stetson's advantage at 2-0. It marked Fontaine's second goal in as many matches after the sophomore converted from the penalty spot Tuesday at South Florida.
Jacksonville refused to go quietly, however. The Dolphins erased the two-goal deficit before the break, sending the teams into halftime deadlocked at 2-2 and forcing Stetson to regroup after surrendering its early advantage.
The response came almost immediately.
Donato found space on the right side and delivered a cross into the area, where Essengue had pushed forward from the back line. The freshman defender met the service and buried his lone shot of the night, giving Stetson a 3-2 advantage and scoring his first goal as a Hatter in the process.
"I'm really proud of the group as we had great energy early, made a few mistakes, and then responded well," head coach Emmett Rutkowski said. "It was great to see a complete team effort in terms of the mental fortitude and toughness to win against a very good JU team."
It was another example of the scoring depth that has fueled Stetson's recent run. After seven different Hatters accounted for eight goals over the victories at Lipscomb and South Florida, Essengue became the latest player to join the scoring column Saturday.
Stetson continued to create opportunities after taking the lead but could not find an insurance goal. Both teams finished the night with 15 shots, but the Hatters were more dangerous with their chances, holding a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal.
Conde finished with a goal and an assist while leading Stetson with four shots, including two on target. Fontaine scored on one of his two attempts, while Donato added an assist and placed both of his shots on goal. Essengue's only attempt produced the eventual game winner.
More importantly, Stetson found a way to close it out.
Jacksonville mounted one final push over the closing minutes, but the Hatters weathered the pressure and kept the Dolphins off the board for the entire second half to secure three more conference points.
The victory moves Stetson to 3-3-0 in ASUN play and firmly back into the conference race with three straight wins overall and victories in three of its last four league matches. Jacksonville falls to 4-5-2 overall and 0-3-2 in conference play.
Stetson now briefly steps away from ASUN action but remains at home, welcoming Florida Atlantic to the Athletic Training Center on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in DeLand.
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.
