Ospreys Blank Gardner-Webb, 3-0

Sunday, August 26

Jacksonville, Fla.

12:30 p.m.

University of North Florida

2-2

Gardner-Webb

0-3

Gardner-Webb

North Florida

Photo by: JD Hysler

8/26/2012 2:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: UNF Athletics

Box Score (PDF)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Three different Ospreys found the back of the net as the University of North Florida women's soccer team earned its second consecutive shutout, taking down Gardner-Webb, 3-0, at Hodges Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“I think we looked very good in all parts of the game today,” Head Coach Linda Hamilton said. “We need to finish more of our chances, but other than that I was very happy with everything.”

The Ospreys came out on the offensive, springing free on multiple through balls and tallying seven shots in the first nine minutes.

Senior midfielder Kathryn Husted made the hard work pay off with a deft goal in the fifth minute. Running on to a short corner from junior Keara Murphy, Husted used her first touch to chip a shot that floated perfectly over the outstretched hands of Bulldog goalkeeper Amy Schmitt and into the net, giving the Ospreys an early 1-0 lead.

In the 30th minute, junior Thea Linkfield continued her hot start by doubling UNF's lead with her third goal in the last two games. As with her other two goals, junior Carolina Lencina earned the assist, firing a low cross into the box. After the cross was deflected by a defender, Linkfield buried the rebound to the bottom left corner of the net to put UNF up 2-0.

At the break, UNF had taken 15 shots and only allowed four, including just one shot on goal.

Shortly after the half, Lencina grabbed a goal of her own after notching three weekend assists. In the 51st minute, the junior forward collected a pass in the midfield and dribbled alone into the Bulldog defense. After carving some space out on the left side of the box, Lencina fired a shot from 15 yards that slid just under Schmitt's hand and gave the Ospreys their final 3-0 margin.

Though UNF was not able to grab another goal, the Ospreys did not let up on the offensive end. By match's end, the Ospreys had racked up a 28-10 lead in shots and put 11 shots on target.

UNF kept up a well-rounded attack throughout the match, with 11 different Ospreys tallying shots. Lencina led the way with six shots of her own, while Linkfield and junior forward Lauren Hopfensperger each grabbed four.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Beninati notched her second consecutive shutout, the third of her career, using six saves to blank the Bulldogs. Schmitt made seven saves for Gardner-Webb in her 84 minutes in goal. Mariah Peters tallied a single save in her six minutes tending the net.

“This was a great home weekend for us to have,” Hamilton said. “We had great support from the fans and great energy, so we need to do what we can to carry that into next weekend.”

With the win, the Ospreys advance to 2-2 on the season, while the Bulldogs drop to 0-3.

UNF is next in action on Friday evening at 6 p.m. as they welcome Georgia Southern to Hodges Stadium. Live stats and video will be available on UNFOspreys.com.