Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida women’s soccer team ended the UNF Hampton Inn Ponte Vedra Showcase on a high note as UNF defeated the Citadel 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Hodges Stadium.
The first half foreshadowed what was ahead for UNF (3-5-1) as they were able to keep the ball on The Citadel’s side, pressuring the Bulldog’s keeper to stay on her toes. A total of 11 shots came in the first half, resulting in three goals. Overall, UNF maintained their aggressive play boasting 23 total shots compared to the Bulldog’s seven.
“I’m really proud about how the whole team played,” said head coach Linda Hamilton. “Everyone did a really good job of maintaining their level of play. Overall it was a great team effort. I thought we created a ton of chances and it was a great match to end our non-conference play.”
UNF’s first goal came in the fourth minute of the match as sophomore Alexa Raborn sent a ball through the Bulldog’s defenders, which set up Katelin Swift for a one touch shot over the the Citadel’s keeper Whitney Nave in the right corner of the net.
In the tenth minute, the Citadel answered back with a goal. The Bulldog’s Nikki Mares played a ball over top the UNF defense on an attack through the middle of the field.
Senior Elena Luzins, on the first of nine UNF corner kicks, placed a ball to the back left post where senior Kristin Rhodes set Swift in stride for her second one-touch goal of the match.
Adding to the Ospreys dominating performance, UNF had 13 different players record a shot. Of the 13 players with a shot eight recorded multiple chances with one of the goals coming from off the bench.
In the 25th minute, Michele Larrinaga placed herself in perfect position, receiving the deflection off the goalie from her first shot of the match. She pounded the open goal for her fifth goal of the season.
In the second half, the Ospreys kept bringing run after run exhausting the Bulldog defense. In the 55th minute, UNF came on a run up the middle set up by Elena Luzins who passed it to Swift up the middle. Swift broke down the Bulldog’s defense, setting up senior Lauren Maze for her first goal of the season.
In the 66th minute, the Citadel scored on three consecutive shot attempts within eight yards of goal, cutting the UNF lead in half. However, the goal would be the Bulldog’s last as the Ospreys improved to 1-1 in the UNF Showcase.
“We played a great match Friday and didn’t get the win; then coming out today and playing a good match; got the win. I think it’s a credit to these girls, they really came out wanting to play,” said Hamilton. “This match was a great confidence builder as we move into conference play next week.”
The Ospreys will begin Atlantic Sun Conference play on Friday, Sept. 26, when they trip to Johnson City, Tenn. to face the East Tennessee State Buccaneers.