Forson powers UNF past Bears

Thursday, October 6

Macon, Ga.

7:00 PM

University of North Florida

MERCER

10/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Oct. 6, 2005

Box Score

MACON, Ga. - The University of North Florida women's soccer team rebounded from a loss to Florida Tech on Monday with a dramatic 2-1 win against Atlantic Sun Conference rival Mercer on Thursday night at Bear Field.

 

Mercer jumped ahead of UNF early in the first half, but the Bears were unable to hold on for the victory, as the Lady Ospreys tallied the game-winner in the 85^th minute of the match.

Mercer (4-10, 1-4 A-Sun) capitalized on its early pressure, firing six first half shots.  In the 7^th minute, sophomore Caitlin McDonald fired a shot that deflected off a UNF defender, but freshman Kaytie Vander Vos cleaned up the rebound and gave the Bears a 1-0 lead.

North Florida (4-5-1, 2-2 A-Sun) was blanked in the first half, but kept pressuring the Mercer defense in the second half.  The dam finally broke in the 64^th minute when senior Ali Blochl took advantage of a defensive mistake and put the ball past Bear goalkeeper Fio Lanfranco to tie the match.

The Lady Ospreys broke the tie when junior Courtney Forson took the pass from Grace Weatherford off a free kick and got the past Lanfranco's fingertips and under the crossbar, giving UNF a 2-1 lead.

Mercer had opportunities in the box in the final minutes, but was unable to send the match to overtime.

The Bears outshot the Lady Ospreys 18-10 and had a 12-7 advantage on corner kicks.

The Lady Ospreys will return to action on Saturday when they travel to DeLand, Fla., for a showdown with conference-rival Stetson. That match is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET.