Too Much Berg for Bucs on Stetson’s Senior Day

Box Score

DeLand, Fla. - Senior Heather Berg (Fort Myers, Fla.) exploded for four goals and two assists to lead Stetson (10-6-2, 6-2-2) to a 7-0 win over East Tennessee State (5-13-0, 4-6-0) in Sunday's regular season finale at the Stetson Soccer Complex. The win secured the #3 seed in next week's A-Sun tournament for the Hatters and eliminated the Buccaneers from post-season play.

Prior to today's game Stetson's all-time record for points in a game by an individual was seven by Jennifer Colley vs. Troy State on October 12, 2003. Berg shattered that mark with 10 points in 65 minutes of play. She also bested the record of three goals in a game held by Colley (accomplished twice), Alicia Briggs (9/21/03), Melissa Streeter (10/8/94) and teammate Tessa Gavilsky (8/27/09).

"A great way to send off our seniors", said Stetson Head Coach Julie Orlowski. "Bergy has had a lot of opportunities this season and today she took advantage of them."

Another record-setter for the Hatters was Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville, Fla.) who scored a goal and had a pair of assists. She is now Stetson's all-time leader for assists in a season with 11. Bitetto separated herself from Carrie Lorenz who had nine in 2003. She is now tied with Kristy Porcelli (1996-99) for third all-time in career assists behind Gavilsky with 19 and Emma Astrom (2000-03) with 18.

Emily Ware (St. Petersburg, Fla.) equaled an all-time record of her own. She is now the fourth Hatter to dish out three assists in a game equaling the mark set by Carrie Lorenz vs. Troy State (10/12/03), Kristy Porcelli vs. St. Peter's (10/12/97), and Melissa Engle vs. Nova Southeastern (10/28/95).

Stetson opened the scoring in the 12^th minute when Berg made a nifty pass to send Bitetto in alone on a breakaway. It was the fifth goal of the season for Bitetto. After several more opportunities without a finish, the Hatters took a 2-0 lead with less than a minute and a half remaining in the first half. Sarah Rodriguez (Deltona, Fla.) delivered a long pass over the top of the defense to Natalie Simon (Lauderhill, Fla.). Simon made a run down the left side, cut towards the middle and drilled a shot to the lower right for her second goal of the season.

Just over eight minutes into the second half the Hatters erased any doubt in the game's outcome with the most impressive goal of the day. Berg gained control 20 yards outside the box on the right side. She reversed directions, made a move on the defender and hit Ware who was running the right flank towards the corner. Ware fired a crossing pass to the middle that found Crossley Simmons (Winfield, Ill.) charging towards the goal. At full steam she elevated and pounded a header that dented the back of the net.

"Not to take away from the seniors, but that Simmons header was the goal of the day. That was pretty special", said Orlowski.

With what seemed to be the clinching goal in the books the flood gates opened and Stetson added four more goals; all by Berg with Bitetto and Ware assisting on two each. After her fourth goal Coach Orlowski showed mercy on the opponent by pulling Berg from the game with just under six minutes to play.

"We had good flow today in a possession game", said Orlowski. "We knew they would come in fighting for their playoff lives and press forward. We were fortunate to have countered well today."

"We scored seven goals today without our top scorer (Gavilsky) involved. What a tribute to the players around her", she added.

Stetson goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) played all 90 minutes, made six saves, and picked up her seventh shutout of the season.

In addition to the numerous individual records set today the Hatters accomplished a few team milestones as well. Today Stetson broke its previous record for assists in a game (seven vs. Troy state 10/12/03) with eight. Also today the team also passed the previous season-highs of 34 goals (2003) and 32 (2007) assists and 106 points (2003). So far this year Stetson has totaled 36 goals and 36 assists for 108 points.

Prior to today's game Stetson seniors Berg, Ware, Emily Yero (Orlando, Fla.), Elise Ketcham (Deltona, Fla.), and Danielle Sefczek (Bradenton, Fla.) were honored for their hard work and dedication to the program over the past four years. All five are scheduled to graduate on time this spring.

With the regular season now complete, Stetson is seeded third and will face the sixth seeded Campbell Fighting Camels in next week's Atlantic Sun Conference Championship Tournament. The top two seeds (Kennesaw State and Belmont) receive a first round bye. On Saturday, October 31 Stetson will host Campbell and #4 Jacksonville will host #5 Mercer. The time for Stetson's game has yet to be determined. It will be the first time ever that an A-Sun women's tournament game will be played in DeLand. The final four will be played November 5-7 in Kennesaw, Georgia.