Men’s Soccer Concludes Preseason with 3-3 Draw

Saturday, August 24

Jacksonville, Fla.

6:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

Rollins (Exh.)

Photo by: Todd Drexler

8/24/2013 8:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer

By: North Florida Athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team played Rollins College to a 3-3 draw in the final exhibition match of the season on Saturday night at Patton Park. The Ospreys used a pair of goals by 2012 Atlantic Sun All-Freshman performer Alex Morrell to pace the offensive attack.

After the defense shined in a 0-0 draw in the first exhibition match of the season, the North Florida offense scored early and often en route to a 3-3 decision with Rollins.

Morrell took a pass off of the opening kickoff. The sophomore made a move, causing the Tars goalkeeper to leave the box to contest Morrell. The Lakeland, Fla. native put the ball in the back of the net to give the Ospreys a 1-0 advantage just 30 seconds into the match.

In the 18th minute of the match, Morrell struck again. The sophomore made his second shot of the night count, giving North Florida a 2-0 lead.

Rollins countered with a goal in the 22nd minute. The Tars tied the match at 2-2 with a goal in the 31st minute.

North Florida regained the lead in the 39th minute. Jean Rivaroli gave the Ospreys' their second lead of the night as the sophomore put a ball in the back corner of the net. The two teams went into intermission with the Ospreys holding on to a 3-2 lead.

In the second half, the Tars tied the match in the 69th minute. Rollins took a shot that hit off of the right goalpost. On the ricochet, the Tars were able to corral the ball and put it in the net, tying the score at 3-3.

The Ospreys missed a couple of opportunities in the second stanza. Luis Daniel Camejo took a pair of shots at point blank range, but one sailed just right of the goal and the other was scooped up by the Tars' keeper. Jon-Michael Vieira recorded three shots on the night – two of which missed the mark by a few inches.

On the night, Rollins outshot North Florida 15 to nine. The Tars took six shots on goal with the Ospreys taking four. The visitors took nine corner kicks compared to two by UNF. Rollins was whistled for three offisides, while North Florida was charged with one.

North Florida opens the 2013 regular season with a match against Western Illinois in the Mike Gibbs Memorial Tournamen. The Ospreys and Leathernecks take the pitch on Friday, Aug. 30 at Patton Park.