Pontieri’s Late Heroics Clinch 2-1 Win Over Stetson

Sunday, September 22

Jacksonville, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of North Florida

4-3-3, 1-1-0

Stetson

5-5-0, 0-2-0

Stetson

North Florida

Pontieri's brace lifted the Ospreys to victory over Stetson.

Photo by: Brock Borgeson

9/22/2024 9:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Ospreys Remain Undefeated at Hodges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's soccer (4-3-3, 1-1-0 ASUN) defeated Stetson (5-5-0, 0-2-0 ASUN) in unforgettable fashion, getting the second of two goals from Bella Pontieri in the 90th minute to break a 1-1 tie and give UNF the win on Sunday evening at Hodges Stadium.

Pontieri opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a powerful strike from just outside the box. The UNF defense was able to hold strong until the 90th minute when a long range strike from Stetson found the back of the net. Just 28 seconds later, Pontieri would respond with her second goal of the night, clinching the win for the Ospreys.

With tonight's victory, the Ospreys remain undefeated at Hodges Stadium in 2024 with a record of 3-0-2, only conceding two goals in five matches on home turf.

UNF 2, Stetson 1
Scoring Summary

26' | Bella Pontieri
90' | Annika Seem
90' | Bella Pontieri

Inside the Match

First Half: After an even opening ten minutes to the contest, Brooklynn Fugel registered the Ospreys first shot, but it was blocked … Bella Pontieri gave the Ospreys the lead in the 26th minute with a beautiful strike from just outside the box, her second long range goal of the season … UNF had a chance to extend its lead in the 42nd minute following a cross from Jersi Dadah into the box, but Masen Fry's header was saved … the Ospreys took a one-goal advantage into the break, outshooting the Hatters, 4-2.
Second Half: The Ospreys first chance of the second period came in the 56th minute when Paige McSwigan had a shot blocked from distance … Stetson threatened for the first time in the 65th minute with Peyton Quinones forcing a diving stop from Sofia Miliancano to keep UNF ahead … the Ospreys kept pushing for a second, in the 78th minute, Allison Souers had a chance to put the game to bed, but her shot sailed high … Stetson equalized in the 89th minute through Annika Seem, who found the back of the net with a long range finish … just 28 seconds later, Pontieri would step up yet again, firing in her second goal of the game to clinch the win for the Ospreys.

Notes

All three of Pontieri's goals this season have been from outside the box
McSwigan, Siassi, Pontieri and Julia Cosgrove are the only Ospreys to have started all 10 games so far this season
It was the first time the Ospreys scored a goal in the 80th minute or later since Oct. 8, 2023 at Kennesaw State
Pontieri, Sophia Hayag and Brialyn Anderson all made career appearance number 30 against the Hatters
The Ospreys improve to 26-2-3 when leading at the half under head coach Eric Faulconer

Up Next
North Florida heads back on the road for the next two Atlantic Sun matches, taking on West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. Thursday, Sept. 26 with kickoff set for 7 p.m.