University of North Florida
Clayton State University
UNF wins PBC Tournament, Handy named MVP
2/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 7, 2004
FLORENCE, S.C. (Nov. 7, 2004) - The University of North Florida women's soccer team claimed the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship on Sunday for the first time since the 2000 season.
The Lady Ospreys (13-4-3) defeated Clayton State 2-1 in two overtimes in the tournament final to earn the title.
"Winning the tournament was one of our goals this season," UNF head coach Mike Munch said. "It always makes you feel good to be able to meet the goals that you set."
In addition to winning the championship, four UNF players were named to the All-Tournament team: freshman defender Nicole Handy, junior defender Tessa Heer, freshman goalkeeper Heather Gosselin and sophomore midfielder Courtney Forson. Handy was also named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
With three of its members on the All-Tournament team and one named MVP, it's not surprising that North Florida's defense again came through for the Lady Ospreys in the tournament final, holding the PBC's leading scorer, Clayton State's Olaitan Yusuf, to only one goal in the match.
Yusuf, who played with an injured knee, scored off a header from a corner kick less than five minutes into the game. Though the goal tied her for the PBC season record, UNF's defense ensured she would not surpass it. The score, which put Clayton State (13-5-1) up 1-0, was the only shot Yusuf registered in the match.
At the 20:17 mark, UNF sophomore midfielder Cari Chiscon made sure the Lady Ospreys still had a chance for the title when she sent her first score of the season into the back of the net.
Chiscon took a running shot from 10 yards out off a serve from sophomore midfielder Judith Claessens, placing the ball beyond the reach of Clayton State keeper Judith Chime and getting UNF on the scoreboard.
"Cari read the play very well and was very aggressive going for it," Munch said. "It was a big goal."
The score remained tied at 1-1 through the second half and one overtime, until UNF junior forward Ali Blochl sent what proved to be the game-winner into the upper right corner of the net with only 4:36 remaining in the second overtime. Blochl's unassisted 20-yard score came after a failed attempt by a Clayton State defender to clear the ball after senior midfielder Diana Hemke's corner kick.
After playing to two overtimes in the semi-final match on Saturday against USC Upstate, Munch was grateful for his team's depth when Sunday's match went long, as well.
"We're certainly deeper than the rest of the teams that we play," Munch said, "and that helps."
The Lady Ospreys' depth may also serve them well if UNF receives a bid to the NCAA tournament. That announcement will come Monday afternoon at 5 p.m.
