Men's Soccer Drops Conference Opener to Stetson

Saturday, September 16

Jacksonville, Fla.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

2-2-3, 0-1-0

Stetson

3-2-2, 1-0-0

Stetson

North Florida

Bendi Burka on the pitch looking to sideline

9/16/2023 11:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Undefeated Streak Snapped at Five Matches

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida men's soccer (2-2-3, 0-1-0) suffered its first loss since the season opener with a 1-0 defeat to Stetson (3-2-2, 1-0-0) in its conference opener on Saturday evening at Hodges Stadium.

A defensive stalemate between UNF and Stetson was broken in the 79th minute with a Hatter scoring the game-winning goal off a shot deflection in the box. It is the Ospreys' first loss in five games, as they recorded two wins and three draws in that span.

GOALS

79' | Andres Mata (Luis Lara & Xavi Csato) - STET

HOW IT HAPPENED

Micah Gun made a point-blank save in the seventh minute to start the action early.
Jacob Harris provided the best opportunity for UNF early on after sending a shot off the hands of Stetson's keeper in the 16th minute.
Stetson had a goal called back in the 31st minute on an offsides call.
Both sides traded shots on goal and yellow cards in a physical first 10 minutes of the second session.
Gun made a diving save on a header in the 58th minute to keep it a scoreless match.
UNF outlasted a tense sequence minutes later to keep the score deadlocked.
The Ospreys' backline stood tall to withstand an uncontested rocket in the 75th minute, as the shot was deflected safely out of play.
Stetson was able to get down hill on a free kick and get a ball into the box that the Hatters' Andres Mata put away for a 1-0 Stetson lead in the 79th minute.
UNF had an offensive chance from Jacob Harris in the final 10 minutes, but was unlucky to result in a 1-0 loss at home to open ASUN play.

RECORDS

North Florida | 2-2-3, 0-1-0
Stetson | 3-2-2, 1-0-0

QUICK KICKS

Had seven shot attempts in the second half to total 11 in the game against the Hatters.
Fourth time in the last five games UNF has had double-digit shot attempts.
Harris had the team-high with a career-best three shots, followed by Felix Frenz and Zach Board with two each.
Gun followed his five save performance from Tuesday with six saves in then conference opener.
Herbie Steigelman, Bendeguz Burka and Jaylen Yearwood, as well as Frenz, all played the full 90 minutes.
Joaquin Acuna returned to play from a yellow card suspension, but Nick Kishchenko was unavailable for Saturday's match.

FROM THE MOUTH OF MARINATOS

Coach Marinatos' thoughts on the Ospreys' performance in the conference opener.#OspreyCulture pic.twitter.com/2Mtbk0uSJa
— UNF Men's Soccer (@OspreyMSOC) September 17, 2023