Oliveira's Overtime Tally Extends Osprey Win Streak to Five Matches

Saturday, March 6

DeLand, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of North Florida

5-0-0, 2-0-0

Stetson

1-2-1, 0-1-1

North Florida

Stetson

Carmel Oliveira volleys the ball in the air with her left foot

Photo by: Todd Drexler

Oliveira's Overtime Tally Extends Osprey Win Streak to Five Matches

3/6/2021 8:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

DeLAND, Fla. -- North Florida overcame a sluggish first half on Saturday night to survive an overtime thriller versus Stetson when Carmel Oliveira netted the match-deciding goal early in the extra session for the 1-0 win. The victory keeps the Ospreys undefeated on the season at 5-0 (2-0 ASUN).

RECORDS
North Florida | 5-0-0 (2-0-0 ASUN)
Stetson | 1-2-1 (0-1-1 ASUN)

GOALS
UNF - 94' | Carmel Oliveira (Haynes Grant)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Stetson controlled the tempo and the ball over the opening 45 minutes, posting a 5-2 advantage in shot attempts
- Ospreys best opportunity for a goal in the opening period came in the 19th minute when a free kick from 23 yards out by Ari Munoz hooked just left of the post
- Stetson nearly got a goal late in the half but a driven ball low along the ground was smothered by UNF keeper Mercedes Sapp
- An early free kick for the Hatters in the second half sailed just over the crossbar and then Sapp stopped a Stetson shot from point blank range to keep the scored tied at 0-0
- North Florida upped their intensity in the closing minutes and nearly ended the game in regulation but a strike by Sophia Thompson was punched up and off the crossbar by the Stetson keeper | Thais Reiss had a follow-up header that was caught by the goalie
- Ospreys finally found the back of the net just four minutes into overtime when Haynes Grant raced down the right side and slammed a shot towards the goal | Her shot was blocked by the Hatters netminder but Carmel Oliveira settled the rebound and slipped it into the net giving UNF the road win

QUICK KICKS
- Goal marked the first of the season for Oliveira and the second match winner of her career
- Freshman Haynes Grant collected her first career assist
- Ospreys 5-0 start is the best in program's Division I history
- Win was the second straight for UNF over Stetson in DeLand
- Sapp earned her first complete match shutout of the season following the 93:27-minute clean sheet | Recorded 4 saves in the victory
- Ospreys have outscored opponents this year, 14-3
- North Florida has not trailed in a match this season | Been in lead or tied for 453:27 of action

FAULCONER TALES
"Difficult game, but we found a way to get three points on the road in ASUN play. Stetson really put us on the back foot in the first half, but I thought we settled down a bit in the second half and started to get a hold of the ball more. As the game moved into the later stages, I felt we put them under a bit more pressure and eventually broke through with the game winner. We are 5-0 and 2-0 in the conference. We will take that and get ready for the rematch with. FGCU next Saturday."
- Head coach Eric Faulconer

UP NEXT
North Florida plays at home for the first time in a month (last home match Feb. 12) when they host FGCU in a rematch on Saturday, Mar. 13 at 4 p.m. in Hodges Stadium.