DELAND, Fla. — Stetson controlled much of the action Saturday night but was unable to find the finishing touch, falling 1-0 to Queens at the Stetson Athletic Training Center.
The Hatters held a 12-5 advantage in shots and put four attempts on goal while limiting the Royals to just one shot on target. Stetson also earned eight corner kicks and outshot Queens 6-1 during a scoreless opening half.
Stetson applied pressure early, forcing Queens goalkeeper Matthew Bademian into four first-half saves. Junior Essengue registered the Hatters' first shot on goal in the 11th minute before Matthew Perez tested Bademian twice and Israel Daniels added another attempt on frame.
Queens broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when Rodrigo Canovas scored off an assist from Luis Vera Mayorca to give the Royals a 1-0 advantage.
The Hatters nearly answered immediately. Less than a minute after the goal, Daniele Mastroianni sent an attempt off the left post as Stetson searched for the equalizer.
Stetson continued to push forward throughout the final half hour and generated one final flurry in the closing seconds. Andre Casas recorded a pair of attempts in the final minute before Zsombor Pall got a shot away with one second remaining, but his effort was blocked by a Queens defender as time expired.
Perez led the Hatters with four shots, including two on goal, while Casas and Pall each finished with two attempts. Essengue and Daniels also put shots on frame. Murillo Mello played all 90 minutes in goal as the Stetson defense held Queens to five total shots and just one on target.
The loss snaps Stetson's two-match winning streak and moves the Hatters to 2-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in ASUN play. Queens improves to 2-5-1 overall and 1-1-1 in conference action.
Stetson closes out its five-match homestand Tuesday, Sept. 22, when the Hatters welcome UCF to the Athletic Training Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 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.
