Dadah, Women’s Soccer Topple Jacksonville State in Waning Moments

Sunday, October 2

Jacksonville, Fla.

1 p.m.

University of North Florida

3-5-1, 2-2-0

Jacksonville State

2-10-0, 0-4-0

Jacksonville State

North Florida

Allie Fekany, Mia Sadler and Jersi Dadah vs. JSU

Photo by: Jeremiah Wilson

Dadah, Women’s Soccer Topple Jacksonville State in Waning Moments

10/2/2022 5:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

UNF Posts Game-Winning Tally in the 86th Minute Despite Playing With 10 on the Pitch

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After over a month away from the home pitch, North Florida women's soccer didn't disappoint in its return to Hodges Stadium as Jersi Dadah's goal in the waning minutes of the match lifted the Ospreys to a 1-0 ASUN-home opening victory against Jacksonville State Sunday, Oct. 2.

Averi Walraven chipped the lead ball to Allie Fekany, who crossed a pass into the box to setup Dadah for the decisive tally in the 86th minute. UNF's victory didn't come without adversity, as North Florida (3-5-1, 2-2 ASUN) wrestled a win away from JSU (2-10, 0-4 ASUN) despite competing with one player short over the final 15 minutes and 37 seconds of action.

UNF's Marissa House was tagged with a red card in the 75th minute as she put her body on the line to disrupt what was potentially a goal-scoring opportunity for the Gamecocks striker.

After dodging a series of missed chances on the part of Jacksonville State, UNF cracked the code thanks to Dadah's second game-winning goal in as many matches at Hodges Stadium this year. Similarly, Dadah netted the decisive goal in the season-opening 1-0 win against MTSU all the way back in the morning of August 19.

Evaluators of the match would be remiss to not mention stingy play by the UNF backline, including Sofia Miliancano, who pitched the shutout and earned her second win in goal on the season. Zara Siassi, Allyna Thurston and Amanda Hartmann were a key part of the relentless effort to keep JSU out of the net, as each logged 90 minutes on the turf.

UNF, 1 JSU 0

GOALS
86' | Jersi Dadah (Allie Fekany, Averi Walraven)

Inside the Match

First Half: The Ospreys showed their attacking momentum in the first half, outshooting the Gamecocks, 5-3 … Chloe Lynch was the bright spark throughout the half with two shots on goal … … the Gamecocks' best opportunity came in the 39th minute when Kylie Wells tested Miliancano from straight on, but the Ospreys' keeper stood tall to deflect the shot ... the respective defenses held strong as both teams entered halftime on level terms.
Second Half: UNF created some chances in the striking third of the pitch to start the second frame, although Jacksonville State slipped through to generate a pair of good opportunities … in the 75th minute, Ali Thomas was through on goal for the Gamecocks when House put in a challenge, resulting in her receiving a red card just above the box … moments later, Wells ripped a free kick that clanked off the crossbar … down a player, Miliancano and UNF's defense evaded three more shots, setting the table for the late-match heroics … in the 86th minute, a through ball from Walraven found Fekany who rounded the keeper and crossed it to Dadah … Dadah booted the shot on the fly and into the back of the net, past a lone JSU defender.

Leaders By the Numbers
UNF

Jersi Dadah - 1 goal, 2 shots
Fekany and Walraven - 1 assist
Chloe Lynch - 3 shots, 2 shots on goal
Sofia Miliancano - 90 minutes, 4 saves

JSU

Kylie Wells - 4 shots, 3 shots on goal
Briana Eads - 90 minutes, 1 shot
Bailey Dean - 90 minutes, 2 saves

Post Match Comments

.@CoachEFaulconer from the post-match interview with the @UNFspinnaker after today's win. #SoarHigher pic.twitter.com/YykgcnxXMw
— UNF Women's Soccer (@OspreyWSOC) October 2, 2022

Notes

Dadah paces the team with two game-winning goals as well as nine shots on goal
Both of UNF's home wins have come via a 1-0 decision
This is the fifth match decided by one goal this season
This was the first-ever meeting between the two teams
Mia Sadler and Haynes Grant both made their second start of the year
Fekany added an assist to her strong freshman season, giving her a team-high seven points
Walraven contributed her second assist of the year, which is now a team-high
Miliancano started her fifth match of the season and made four saves
This was the first match at Hodges Stadium since hosting MTSU on August 19th
Head Coach Eric Faulconer improves to 8-4-3 in matches played in October
UNF improves to 28-1-2 when scoring first in all competitions under Faulconer
Jacksonville State didn't attempt a single corner kick
Both teams logged nine fouls apiece. UNF was tagged with a yellow and red card, while JSU's Laleh Lonteen picked up a yellow card in the 81st minute.
UNF and JSU both put up nine shots. UNF has not been outshot since Sept. 8 at Georgia.