Women's Soccer Falls 1-0 to Georgia Southern

Friday, August 31

Jacksonville, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of North Florida

2-3-0

Georgia Southern

3-0-1

Georgia Southern

North Florida

Photo by: JD Hysler

8/31/2012 8:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The University of North Florida women's soccer team couldn't take advantage of 11 shots, falling 1-0 to Georgia Southern on Friday evening at Hodges Stadium.

“I think we didn't come out of the gate as quick as we could have,” Head Coach Linda Hamilton said. “It's tough to get in a hole against a good team like Georgia Southern.”

Sydnie Van Curen netted the only goal of the match in the 31st minute. After an attacking move up the right flank, a deflected cross fell to her feet about 20 yards from the goal. Van Curen used her first touch to lash a shot that snuck inside the far post to give the Eagles their 1-0 winning margin.

As the scoreline suggests, both teams were very evenly matched for the duration of the match. UNF owned an 11-10 edge in shots at the end of a match that saw both teams take the offensive for long moments at a time.

Sophomore Thea Linkfield and juniors Carolina Lencina and Lauren Hopfensperger all grabbed a pair of shots for the Ospreys. Eight UNF players notched at least one shot on the evening.

Sophomore Rachel Beninati made one save in her 66:50 in net for the Ospreys before exiting due to injury. Junior Bri Swift recorded three saves in her first career minutes at goalkeeper for UNF. Katie Merson tallied five saves to earn the shutout for Georgia Southern.

“We did some good things in the second half and I think we can build on those as we head into Sunday's game,” Hamilton said. “It's still a young season and we have some work to do.”

The Ospreys will return to the turf on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome Navy to Hodges Stadium for a 1 p.m. match. It will be UNF's final home game until they play host to cross-town rival Jacksonville on September 28.