photo by: Jim Hogue Photos

DeLand, Fla. – The Hatters controlled the field of play for most of the night, but in the end it was an own goal that decided the game. Stetson (6-6-0, 2-2-0) dropped a hard-fought battle 2-1 to Florida Gulf Coast (8-4-1, 3-1-0) Monday night in DeLand.

At 66:03 of the second half Stetson’s leading scorer and last year’s A-Sun Player of the Year Tessa Gavilsky (Grante City, Ill.) brought the home team to within one with her 7th goal of the season assisted by Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville, Fla.). However, that was as close as the Hatters would get to the Eagles.

FGCU started strong and took a 1-0 advantage with a goal in the 10th minute of the first half. Jessica Swartzentruber (Sarasota, Fla.) set up teammate Amber McCall (Fort Myers, Fla.) 20 yards out. McCall drilled a line drive was deflected by a Stetson defender and changed direction just enough to elude goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) inside the left post.

After finishing the first half with an 8-4 advantage in shots, Stetson came out firing again in the second yet could not seem to match up its efforts with any luck.

“I am a firm believer that hard work equals good luck”, said Stetson head Coach Julie Orlowski. “However, after tonight I am not so sure. Our hard work tonight put us in some unfortunate circumstances.”

Just over 10 minutes into the second half Stetson’s hustle resulted in an own goal that turned out to be the game-winner. Elise Ketcham (Deltona, Fla.) showed tremendous effort to get to a shot by FGCU’s Lindsay Haw (Palm City, Fla.). Her clearing effort however, went into the Stetson goal and put the visitors up 2-0.

The Hatters had a couple of excellent offensive opportunities in the game including a blast by Natalie Simon (Lauderhill, Fla.) that hit the cross bar and a 1v1 chance for Sarah Rodriguez (Deltona, Fla.) that did not fully develop.

After Gavilsky’s goal in the 67th minute Stetson continued to press yet could not net the equalizer. Stetson finished the game with a 21-9 advantage in shots. Gavilsky nearly equaled FGCU’s team total of nine shots with eight of her own.

“Our shot selection could have been a little better; their defense bent but did not break”, said Orlowski.

“Tessa and Tater (Bitetto) played well tonight. Their chemistry is clicking really well and they are creating opportunities… Time to get ready for UNF and JU”, she added.

This weekend Stetson will play host to North Florida on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Jacksonville at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.