DeLAND, FLA. - Stetson scored twice in a 2:11 span late in the
first half and went on to defeat Campbell 2-1 Saturday night in the
first round of the Atlantic Sun women's soccer championship.
Two-time A-Sun player of the year Tessa Gavilsky set up the first
goal and scored what proved to be the winner for the third-seeded
Hatters (11-6-2).
"Obviously, you're always disappointed with the way the year ends,
unless you win the championship, but I'm so pleased with the effort
of this young team throughout the season," said Campbell head coach
Todd Clark.
Stetson took the lead in the 36th minute when Gavilsky played a
pass over the Campbell back line to Natalie Simon, who scored her
third goal of the year. Gavilsky then added her 11th strike of the
season in the 38th minute on a header off Emily Ware's corner
kick.
Campbell drew within one in the 57th on Olga Ekblom's long-distance
blast for her team-leading sixth goal this year.
However, the sixth-seeded Camels (9-9-2) could not beat Stetson
keeper Andrea Garavaglia again.
Stetson finished with a 9-6 edge in shots, while Campbell had five
on target compared to Stetson's four. Garavaglia finished with
four saves. Jamie Panfil made two stops in the Camel nets.
CU concluded its most successful season in five years, improving
its overall victory total by four and earning the program's first
league tournament berth since 2005 despite the fact that the team
has no seniors on its roster.
Stetson will meet second-seeded Belmont Thursday in the A-Sun
semifinals at Kennesaw, Ga.