UNF women’s soccer shut out Coastal Carolina University 4-0 Aug. 30 after losing to Georgia State 3-4 in their first game of the Osprey Classic Aug. 28.
After falling behind 1-4 with 25 minutes left in their game against Georgia State, UNF senior forward Katelin Swift scored two late goals to cut the deficit, but it was not enough for the Ospreys.
“One thing to take away from this match is that mistakes hurt us, and they are hard to overcome when you put yourself in a hole,” Head Coach Linda Hamilton said. “We will take these mistakes and grow from them.”
Within the first 20 minutes of the game, GSU took a 2-0 lead after goals from Sarah Dashiell and Apryl Goodwin.
Junior defender Kristin Lazowick saved a goal against UNF shortly following GSU’s first two goals, on a breakaway by one of Georgia State’s forwards. Senior goalie Rachel Howard blocked the Panther’s first attempt to score, but after dropping the ball, Lazowick had to make the second save.
Immediately following the save by Lazowick, UNF didn’t hesitate to apply pressure. By faking out one of the Panther’s defenders and smashing the ball past the goalie, freshman forward Michele Larrinaga scored the first goal of her college career and UNF’s first goal of the season.
“This being our third game as a new team, we have made a lot of improvements in the defense especially,” Hamilton said. “We made a few bad calls that cost us a few goals.”
Later in the second half, Swift took advantage of a corner kick to score a goal, making it a tie game. After a foul against Georgia State, Swift also had another goal opportunity and scored again on a penalty kick.
“We capitalized on some of Georgia’s mistakes, and that’s what kept us in the game,” Swift said. “I’m excited about our improvements in this game and the goals we scored. It means we are making progress.”
Although UNF didn’t have the endurance to fight off Georgia State’s lead, they did finish the tournament with their first win of the season in a game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
After starting off scoreless in the first half, and only three shots on Coastal Carolina and one shot against UNF, the second half had the fans on their feet when UNF scored four goals.
“We had fantastic teamwork throughout the game, particularly in the second half,” Hamilton said. “It’s impressive to see quality work from both the starters and the reserves.”
Highlights of the goals include the first goal by Swift who fought past two defenders to score in the back left corner of the net. Minutes later, senior midfielder Elena Luzins scored off of a deflected ball from senior forward Caitlin Kovac’s shot on goal and assured a goal.
Larrinaga followed with her second goal of the season after receiving an assist from Swift’s fast break from midfield to score. The final goal of the night was by sophomore forward Maja Reichardt as she knocked in a rebound from the crossbar to end the night.
The Ospreys will continue their season in the Jacksonville University Tournament and will be opening against Georgia Southern Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.
