Hatters Even Record with Big Road Win Over FAU
DeLand, Fla. -
The Stetson women's soccer team improved to 1-1 on the season after an
impressive 2-0 win over Florida Atlantic. Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville,
Fla.) and Tessa Gavilsky Granite City, Ill.) each contributed to both
goals.
Stetson scored its
first goal at 29:32 of the first half. Gavilsky, the 2008 Atlantic Sun
Conference Offensive Player of the Year and leading scorer in the league
tallied her first goal of the 2009 campaign when she knocked in a well
placed cross by Bitetto.
Just three minutes
later (33:50) Bitetto answered with her first goal of the season assisted
by Gavilsky and Emily Ware (St. Petersburg, Fla.).
After a scoreless
second half Stetson took home its first win a Florida Atlantic since 1996.
The Hatters defeated the Owls last season in DeLand, the first win over
the Owls at home since 1999. Stetson is now 2-6 overall against FAU since
Head Coach Julie Orlowski took over the program in 2001.
"In the history of
this rivalry Brian (Dooley-FAU Head Coach) has owned our program for
years," said Orlowski. "I think some of our younger players are oblivious
to that but to have taken two straight is huge for us."
Stetson led Florida
Atlantic 16-8 in shots, while the teams were an even 5-5 in corner kicks.
Hatters goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) made two saves
in the game and registered her first shutout of the season. Gavilsky led
the visitors in shots with seven, Heather Berg (Fort Myers, Fla.) and
Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) each chipped in a pair.
Today's game was the
season-opener for the host Owls (0-1).
"We had an advantage
today because we had played on Friday," said Orlowski. "FAU had a lot of
great plays but couldn't break through. I think some little things with
their timing and rhythm weren't clicking today, but they are going to be
very tough team to deal with".
Stetson returns to the
pitch Thursday to host Embry-Riddle at 7:00 p.m.
