JACKSONVILLE,
Fla. –
Despite a strong second half that favored the University of North Florida
women’s soccer team in shots, corners and shots on goal, the Ospreys
failed to beat crosstown rival Jacksonville, falling 1-0, in the fifth
year of the SunTrust River City Rumble.
“Their goalie came up
with some really good saves at the end and they were in a position to hold
the lead and we were in a position to make a dent in it,” said head coach
Linda Hamilton after the match. “To credit the team, I thought their
effort was fantastic but it was only one half worth. We need to find a
way to put two of those half’s together. We did the best we could but
couldn’t finish on the chances we had.”
Within the opening minute of the match, JU was able to pick up the first
goal due to an unlucky play committed by UNF. Sophomore Samantha Keyes,
in her attempt to kick the ball away from a Dolphins attack, cleared the
ball into the back of another UNF defender allowing JU’s Eva Leeper to
settle the deflection for the easy put away from ten yards out.
In
the fifth minute, a diagonal ball found senior Kristin Rhodes on the left
side where she crossed the ball through to freshman Michele Larrinaga for
a one touch in the middle, but JU’s backs were able to block UNF’s
retaliating drive.
In
the 41st minute, the Dolphins countered on UNF’s aggressive play for a
three-on-two run, where senior goalkeeper Rachael Howard made the match’s
first save, stopping a crack from Leeper. Howard was able to extend,
denying a firm ball directed in the top left corner of the goal.
The
Dolphins and Ospreys battled back and forth in the final ten minutes of
the first half with UNF drawing two corners, putting great touches
together, but unable to capitalize. Both teams combined for five shots
apiece and the Dolphins had the advantage in corners, 3-2.
Going into the second half, Rhodes continued to elevate her play. In the
53rd and 63rd minute, Rhodes had a pair of shots on goal that tested JU’s
goalkeeper Alexa Rooney. After not recording a save in the first half,
JU’s goalkeeper was asked to make four saves to keep the Ospreys off the
board.
Throughout the second half the Ospreys’ determination and grit allowed
them to accelerate their play and create opportunities. There were plenty
of chances in the second half for the Ospreys, but they could not catch a
break to surpass JU’s defense.
Rhodes, on a run down the left side, made a great cross intended for
sophomore Denisse Soltero that brought Rooney out of the goal, where she
bobbled the ball, giving Soltero another chance, but on a second diving
attempt Rooney was able to grab the ball off Soltero’s foot.
Junior Kristin Lazowick also had a great game, helping UNF in the later
minutes of the match with her consistent play of advancing the ball and
looking down field.
UNF’s abilty to hold possessions for long periods of time and put together
great passes told the story in the Ospreys dominant second half
performance with UNF’s shot advantage of 10 to one.
In
the final two minutes, senior Katelin Swift found Larrinaga in the middle
for one of the many UNF opportunities in the waning minutes of regulation.
But she was not able to handle the cross as she connected with the ball
while off balanced in the air.
This tightly contested match, that saw a total of 31 fouls, ended on a
climactic play in the final seconds. Racing back to take the corner with
less than 10 seconds on the clock,UNF was just able to get the corner off
for Rhodes’ who was positioned in the middle of the keeper’s box, but in
the Ospreys’ desperation to score, Rooney who was standing in the right
place at the right time to make the stop.
UNF
will play their next A-Sun match-up at home against Lipscpmb on Friday,
Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. Followed by a Sunday, Oct. 25 contest against Belmont
at 1 p.m. at Hodges Stadium.
JACKSONVILLE,
Fla.