#MSOC Battles Valpo to Draw, Wins Mike Gibbs Memorial

Sunday, September 1

Jacksonville, Fla.

1:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

1-0-1

Valparaiso

0-0-2

OT 3

OT 4

Valparaiso

North Florida

Photo by: Todd Drexler

9/1/2013 5:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

Boxscore

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team posted a 1-1 draw with Valparaiso in the final match of the 2013 Mike Gibbs Memorial Tournament on Sunday afternoon at Patton Park. The Ospreys finished the Mike Gibbs Memorial Tournament with a 1-0-1 record – the best start to the season for the men's soccer team since 2002.

In 2002, North Florida opened the season with a tie and then proceeded to win the next three matches to start 3-0-1.

Alex Morrell led the offense with his second goal in as many matches. The sophomore finished the match tied for a team-high with two shots. As a team, North Florida finished the match with 10 shots, including six shots on goal. Six different Ospreys finished with a shot on goal.

Valpo finished the match with 13 shots, including six shots on goal. The Crusaders' Julio Velasquez scored the only goal of the match, while Todd Vervynckt and Jacob Gandarilla each assisted on the goal.

Defensively, UNF's goalkeeper Brad Sienkiewicz recorded five saves in the match, while allowing just one goal. In addition to his five saves, Sienkiewicz was able to punch out several cross attempts, thwarting various Valpo offensive attacks.

The match was a physical contest with the two teams combining for 37 fouls – 22 for North Florida and 15 for Valparaiso. The Ospreys were charged with four yellow cards, while the Crusaders were whistled for a pair. Each team had an ejection in the match – Valparaiso's head coach Mike Avery (first half) and North Florida's Casey Caronis (second half).

North Florida was the first team to scratch the scoreboard. Morrell dribbled through the Valpo defense and finished one-on-one with the goalie. The sophomore was able to slip the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the second of the weekend for Morrell and put the Ospreys in front 1-0 in the 16th minute of the match.

Valparaiso was able to score the equalizer in the 76th minute, taking advantage of the Ospreys playing a man down. Vervynckt sent a ball across the field that was redirected by Gandarilla to Velasquez who put it just out of reach of a diving keeper.

The match remained 1-1 for the final 14 minutes of regulation. In the first overtime, Valpo edged UNF 2-to-1 in shots, with both teams registering a shot on goal. Both goalkeepers were able to prevent goals, forcing a second overtime. In the second extra period, the Ospreys were the only team to register a shot, but were unable to break the plane of the goal, leaving the match tied.

North Florida returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 8, as the Ospreys travel to Orlando, Fla. for a nonconference match with in-state foe UCF. The match is slated to start at 7:00 p.m.

Tournament Results
1. North Florida (1-0-1) – 4 points
2. Western Illinois (1-1-0) – 3 points
3. Valparaiso (0-0-2) – 2 points
4. Jacksonville (0-1-1) – 1 point

All-Tournament Team
Juan Manuel Arguedes (Jacksonville)
Guilherme Brandao (Jacksonville)
Jesse Ortiz (Valparaiso)
Tom Serratore (Valparaiso)
Diego Lopez (Western Illinois)
Yves Dietrich (Western Illinois)
Sammuel Worsley (Western Illinois)
Jay Bolt (North Florida)
Pedro Carneiro (North Florida)
Casey Caronis (North Florida)
Brad Sienkiewicz (North Florida)

Defensive MVP
Christopher Bush (North Florida)

Offensive MVP
Alex Morrell (North Florida)