DELAND, Fla. — Stetson battled back from a first-half deficit to earn a 1-1 draw against in-state foe UCF in front of a packed house on Tuesday night at the Athletic Training Center, earning a result against the Knights in their first visit to DeLand since 2018.
UCF struck first to take a 1-0 lead into the break, but the Hatters came out of halftime on the front foot and quickly began to put the Knights under pressure. Stetson fired 10 of its 13 shots in the second half, and that pressure eventually paid off when freshman Matthew Perez found the equalizer.
With the match back on level terms, things tightened up down the stretch as both sides searched for a winner. The Hatters continued to push forward while their back line held firm at the other end, ultimately seeing out the 1-1 draw against their in-state opponent.
Stetson finished the night with a 13-8 advantage in shots, marking the seventh straight match in which the Hatters have outshot their opponent. The result also snapped a four-match losing streak against UCF and gave Stetson its first result in the series since 2016.
Perez continued to make his presence felt in the attack, scoring his second goal of the season while putting both of his shots on frame. Junior Essengue picked up the assist on the equalizer and added a shot of his own, while Valentin Fontaine led the Hatters with three attempts, including one on goal.
At the other end, Murillo Mello went the full 90 minutes in goal and made four saves, helping Stetson navigate a physical back-and-forth match and keep UCF off the board after halftime.
The draw moves the Hatters to 2-5-2 overall and closes their season-long five-match homestand with a 2-2-1 record. Stetson remains 1-2-0 in ASUN play, while UCF moves to 4-2-2 overall.
Stetson now turns its attention back to conference play, traveling to Jacksonville on Saturday, Sept. 26, for a 7 p.m. matchup with North Florida at Hodges Stadium.
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.
