Women's Soccer Nets 1st Goal, Earns Draw at Georgia Southern

Friday, August 26

Statesboro, Ga.

7:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

0-1-2

Georgia Southern

0-2-1

OT 3

OT 4

North Florida

Georgia Southern

Photo by: Todd Drexler

Women's Soccer Nets 1st Goal, Earns Draw at Georgia Southern

8/26/2016 9:32:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

Boxscore (pdf)

STATESBORO, Ga. – The North Florida women's soccer team (0-1-2) earned their second consecutive draw, posting a 1-1 decision at Georgia Southern on Friday night. Kelli Crowley netted the squad's first goal of the season and Victoria Ekeli recorded a career high 10 saves in the contest.

Goals
5' UNF, Kelli Crowley (Unassisted)
60' GSU, Jennifer Wittick (PK)

Game Summary
Crowley got the Ospreys on the board early in the game after corralling a deflected cross at the top of the box and smashing it into the net for a 1-0 lead just minutes into the contest. UNF kept a clean sheet for the opening half but surrendered the equalizing goal on a penalty kick in the 60th minute of play. Ekeli rose to the challenge between the pipes finishing with a personal best 10 saves including a pair of stops in the final OT session to secure the draw.

Other Key Moments
5': Alexis Bredeau nearly got the Ospreys on the board first but her shot hit the post just prior to Crowley's scoring blast
63': Krista Colubiale saw her chance at the game winner carom of the crossbar
83': Gabby Liguori put a header on the frame with hopes of collecting the game winner in the closing minutes of regulation but the Eagles' keeper Lauren Karinshak came up with the save

Game Notes
-The two squads combined for 38 shots in the contest including 19 on goal. UNF's Ekeli turned away 10 shots while GSU's Karinshak posted 5 saves. Both sides also posted one team save in the match
- Georgia Southern owned a 15-6 advantage in corner kick opportunities including an 8-4 edge during the second half
- UNF saw 19 different players log time on the pitch with four players - Jenna Steininger, Gabrielle Liguori, Casey Grotz and Victoria Ekeli - all playing the entire 110 minutes on the night
- The 10 saves for Ekeli eclipsed her previous single match best total of 7 saves set twice against Kennesaw State (2014) and Miami (2015)

WHAT COACH CONFER SAYS...
On the draw:
"It was a hard fought game on both sides of the ball and I thought the team battled hard. Defensively, we were strong and defended well on set pieces and long service.

On the bench play:
Our bench stepped up today and some players came in and gave us quality minutes. We were much more dangerous in the attack tonight and I believe this is a performance we can build upon.

Up Next: The Ospreys wrap up their weekend road swing on Sunday when they visit Charleston Southern.