DELAND, Fla. — The Stetson men's soccer team closed out the regular season Saturday evening with a 3-1 loss to Central Arkansas at the Athletic Training Center. Despite outshooting the Bears 15-10 and holding an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal, the Hatters were unable to overcome three Central Arkansas goals. Stetson finishes the regular season at 6-8-3 overall and 3-4-1 in ASUN play.
Stetson established an attacking presence early, forcing Central Arkansas goalkeeper Merrick Cook into four first-half saves. Afonso Conde tested Cook twice in the opening 21 minutes, while Benjamin Donato and Junior Essengue also registered shots on goal. The Hatters held an 8-6 advantage in shots during the opening half, but Central Arkansas broke through in the 40th minute when Kyle Schwartz finished a chance off an assist from Vaclav Kozeny to give the Bears a 1-0 halftime lead.
The Hatters continued to generate opportunities after the break, with Justin Blanco and Mauricio Restrepo each forcing saves as Stetson searched for an equalizer. Central Arkansas doubled its advantage in the 71st minute on an own goal, but Stetson responded just four minutes later when Zsombor Pall converted a penalty kick for his first goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The momentum was short-lived, however, as Schwartz scored his second goal of the evening in the 77th minute to restore the Bears' two-goal advantage. Stetson continued pressing forward in the closing minutes but could not find another breakthrough.
Despite Saturday's result, the Hatters secured the No. 4 seed in the 2026 ASUN Men's Soccer Championship and will begin postseason play in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, November 7. The top two seeds receive first-round byes, while the remaining four teams compete for spots in the semifinals.
Stetson will look to replicate last season's postseason success, when the Hatters defeated Central Arkansas 2-1 in the opening round of the ASUN Championship. The semifinals are scheduled for November 9, with the championship match set for November 14. Stetson's opening-round opponent, kickoff time and location will be confirmed with the release of the finalized tournament bracket.
Game Notes
- Stetson outshot Central Arkansas 15-10, including an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal.
- Zsombor Pall scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
- Afonso Conde led the Hatters with two shots on goal.
- Stetson recorded eight shots in the first half and seven in the second.
- Central Arkansas goalkeeper Merrick Cook finished with seven saves.
- The Hatters finished with four corner kicks, matching the Bears' total.
- Stetson enters the ASUN Championship as the No. 4 seed after finishing conference play at 3-4-1.
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
