MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The 11th-ranked Flagler College women's soccer team, as voted in the United Soccer Coaches Division II preseason poll, opened the 2022 season with a comeback victory on the road to defeat the University of Mount Olive, 2-1, Thursday evening. Sophomore forward
Andrea Fernandez netted two goals in the win.
"Today was a massive win," said head coach
Ashley Martin. "Coming off a limited preseason scrimmage schedule, plus Mount Olive being a difficult place to play, combined with some unfavorable conditions, winning this game gives us a lot of confidence."
In the eighth minute of the game, the Trojans sent a long pass towards the right side of the field, pulling Saints goalkeeper,
Madison North, out of the goal to defend the ball. Tianna Hill was able to gain possession and assisted Delia Allwood with a pass across the box. Hill, with no one in front of her, tapped the ball in on the low left side of the goal, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead.
"Mount Olive is a tough opponent, and they deservedly took the lead after pouncing on an error, but we showed an immense amount of character and resilience to find our way back into the game, take the lead, and see it out," said Martin.
Flagler put high pressure on Mount Olive's side of the pitch, taking the next three shots of the game as it began to pour at Amon Field. On the next shot, North sent a long goal kick to Fernandez who received the pass around the 25-yard line. Fernandez dribbled the ball past a Trojan defender and launched a shot into the high center of the net, tying the game 1-1 in the first 16 minutes of play.
The game remained tied throughout the first half, but the Saints wasted no time scoring once again within the first two minutes of the second half. Fernandez scored her second goal of the game on a free kick, about 25 yards out on the right side of the box, sending a shot that soared into the top right corner of the goal.
The Trojans took five shots in the second half in an effort to make a comeback, but remained scoreless, finalizing the Saints' 2-1 win.
Flagler edged Mount Olive in shots (10-9) but had a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal, with the teams each taking six corner kicks. The Trojan's Nicole Solicito made five stops in the goal, while North made three saves.
The Saints are back on the road with a midweek game at Barry University on Wednesday, Aug. 31 in Miami Shores, Florida, at 6 p.m.
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