UNF tops Spartans in A-Sun opener

Friday, September 26

Jacksonville, Fla.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Jr. Katelin Swift scored her conference-best seventh goal

9/26/2008 9:56:41 PM | Women's Soccer

UNF hosts ETSU on Sunday at 2 p.m.

By: Adam Jonson, UNF Athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida junior Katelin Swift caught fire in the second half of Friday night's home match against USC Upstate, scoring two goals in less than 13 minutes to help the Lady Ospreys to a 2-1 victory in their Atlantic Sun Conference opener.

“Playing well in front of the home crowd and winning a conference opener are two very important things,” UNF head coach Linda Hamilton said. “Tonight, we did both. We like showing our fans how we can play and hope it gives them something to look forward to come back and watch.”

UNF (4-5-1, 1-0-0 A-Sun) fired 15 shots in the first period with seven on goal. Between shots missing wide and Spartan keeper Brittany Daughtry making seven saves in the first half, the Lady Ospreys could not manage a goal before halftime, which sent the contest to the break in a scoreless tie.

At the 49:32 mark, Swift ended UNF's drought when she netted her sixth goal of the season. Freshman Kristen Matteuzzi made a pass from just inside the right side of the box and Swift punched the ball in from about seven yards.

“It is exciting and fun to be the one that scores, but I just want our team to be extremely successful,” Swift said. “We've made so much progress since last year and we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep that going.”

Senior Elena Luzins began the Lady Osprey attack that resulted in Swift second goal of the match, seventh of the season. Luzins rocketed a shot that hit the crossbar and came back into the box, where Swift rebounded it and put it in the back of the net.

“Swift's hard work has really begun to pay off,” Hamilton said. “She has developed into and emerged as a great leader for this team.”

Upstate refused to go away without a fight, and with less than six minutes remaining, closed the gap to a single goal when Jaclyn Bishop scored her first goal of the season. Caitlin Beale took a shot from nearly 25 yards that headed toward the top of the net. UNF keeper Erica Lippitt deflected the ball off the crossbar and the ball returned to the field, setting up Bishop's scoring opportunity.

The UNF defense allowed only four shots in the contest and surrendered just one corner kick. The Spartans managed one shot in the first half, and until the closing minutes could not put together a solid offensive attack.

The Lady Ospreys remain on their home turf on Sunday when East Tennessee State visits Hodges Stadium for a 2 p.m. meeting to continue A-Sun play.

“Anytime the girls don't have to get on a bus, they're excited,” Hamilton said. “It's nice to come home after a tough road schedule and win at our place. Now we have to focus our attention on East Tennessee State and continue to put forth the effort we did tonight.”