PENSACOLA, Fla. — Stetson women's soccer continued to create opportunities and battled until the final whistle Thursday, but the Hatters fell 2-0 to West Florida.
Stetson generated several chances during the opening half, with Hailey Shelly, Stella Comana, Ava Mckay and Ava Baumann each recording shots. McKay and Baumann put their attempts on target and forced saves, while Clare Boesel made an early stop of her own to keep the match scoreless through the opening stages.
The Hatters continued to look for their opening goal, but West Florida broke through in the 35th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Stetson remained within one heading into halftime, giving the Hatters an opportunity to respond coming out of the break.
Stetson continued to apply pressure in the second half, with Comana recording another shot and the Hatters earning a corner kick before West Florida extended its advantage in the 59th minute. Despite the two-goal deficit, Stetson continued to create opportunities, including a near goal from Eva McCoy in the 77th minute when her shot struck the top of the crossbar.
The Hatters also continued to battle defensively late in the match. Danica Wittmann made two saves during the final 20 minutes, including a stretch in which Stetson withstood four West Florida attacking actions from 79:23 to 87:58 without conceding. The late defensive effort kept the Hatters within reach, but Stetson ultimately fell 2-0.
Hatters Top Performers
Up Next
The Hatters return home Thursday, Sept. 10, when they host FIU at 7 p.m. at the Athletic Training Center in DeLand, Florida.
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.
