Stingy Defense, Dadah’s Goal Seals Shutout Win Against MTSU in Opener

Friday, August 19

Jacksonville, Fla.

10 a.m.

University of North Florida

1-0-0, 0-0-0

MTSU

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Middle Tenn.

North Florida

Dadah's game-winning goal came in the 36th minute.

Photo by: Jeremiah Wilson

Stingy Defense, Dadah’s Goal Seals Shutout Win Against MTSU in Opener

8/19/2022 2:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Ospreys Open the Year With 1-0 Win at Home

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's soccer put forth a staunch defensive effort and Jersi Dadah chimed in with a timely goal late in the first half as the Ospreys (1-0) shut out Middle Tennessee (0-1), 1-0, in the season opener Friday, Aug. 19 from a humid Hodges Stadium.

The game was originally slated to be played the night before, although consistent rain pushed the game to 10 a.m. Friday morning.

UNF 1, MTSU 0

Inside the Match

First Half: The Ospreys controlled the pace and possession for much of the first half, keeping the offensive pressure on MTSU … that pressure nearly resulted in a goal in the fourth minute as Amanda Hartmann put a cross off the crossbar … MTSU put up its lone shot three minutes later as it was blocked by the UNF backline … after knocking on the door for the next 30 minutes, Dadah slipped past the Blue Raiders' defense and found the back of the net from the right wing, giving UNF a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute … Ariana Munoz and Chloe Lynch served up the double assist.
Second Half: North Florida and MTSU matched each other with six shots each in the second half, although MTSU only had one solid opportunity in the 58th minute when Kirstine Lykke sent one just left of the post … Munoz along with freshman Kalliyan Pho and Allie Fekany all posted solid chances at adding an insurance goal … Rachel Fishkin played out the final 45 minutes in goal, following up Sarah Barrentine's shutout 45-minute first half.

Leaders By the Numbers
MTSU

Franz & Kivisto | 1 shot apiece
Hannah Suder | 90 minutes, four saves

UNF

Jersi Dadah | goal, 4 shots, 3 shots on goal
Zara Siassi | 90 minutes, 2 shots
Ariana Munoz | 72 minutes, 1 assist
Chloe Lynch | 1 assist
Rachel Fishkin & Sarah Barrentine | 45 minutes each

Postgame Comments
Head Coach Eric Faulconer

.@CoachEFaulconer speaks on the 1-0 season-opening win - UNF has outscored opponents 11-1 in season openers during Coach Faulconer's head coaching tenure. pic.twitter.com/STnsSh06HR
— UNF Women's Soccer (@OspreyWSOC) August 19, 2022

No. 12 Jersi Dadah

.@jersidadah speaks on her game-winning goal and today's shutout ?? pic.twitter.com/9DR4ZJIkHV
— UNF Women's Soccer (@OspreyWSOC) August 19, 2022

Notes

UNF is 4-0 in season openers under head coach Eric Faulconer
North Florida has outscored opponents 11-1 in season openers under Faulconer
UNF is 1-1 all-time against MTSU.
Seven Ospreys made their UNF debuts, while four made their first career starts.
Chloe Lynch assisted on the goal in her first-career game at UNF
North Florida is 6-1-1 in August under Faulconer.
This was the 17th shutout win under Faulconer. UNF is also 27-1-1 when scoring first under Faulconer.
UNF put up six shots per half, while holding MTSU to just one in the first.
North Florida tallied nine corner kicks, holding MTSU to four.
The game was originally slated to be played last night at 7 p.m. before rain pushed the game to the following morning.
Sarah Barrentine and Rachel Fishkin combined to post a shutout, each logging 45 minutes in front of the net.