MOCCASINS MAKE THEIR POINT IN 5-1 WIN OVER SHARKS

LAKELAND -  The Florida Southern Moccasins certainly made their point Friday night against Nova Southeastern. Jackie Bachteler and Liz Gorman made them too. For that matter, so did Princess Haley and Erin Hopkins, as Florida Southern began a critical five-day gauntlet with a stunning 5-1 victory over Nova Southeastern.

The result wasn't necessarily stunning, only the way it was done. The Moccasins (10-3, 4-0 Sunshine State Conference) scored three goals in the first 20 minutes, all of them assisted by Gorman, then added two more late in the second half when the Sharks (6-4-3, 0-4-2) appeared to be gaining strength. The five goals were scored against a team that had surrendered only eight in its first 12 games, and was allowing less than nine shots per match. The Sharks hadn't allowed more than two goals in any game over the last two years, and the Mocs had that well before halftime.

There were plenty of goals, but it was Bachteler and Gorman who set the tone early. Each played a role in the first two goals, and Gorman also set up the third to tie a school for assists in one game. She nearly had the record all to herself later in the game, but a well-played ball into the box was just a step too far for Alex Hoover at the back post.

Bachteler scored the Mocs' first goal at the 5:39 mark on a 30-yard, unstoppable shot into the upper right corner of the net. It was Bachteler's first goal of the year. Then in the 15th minute, Bachteler started a play that also went through Gorman, before Hopkins ended up with the ball for a shot from near the top left of the penalty box. It was Hopkins' 10th goal of the season, leaving her one shy of the school record set by Joanie DeHaven in 2003.

The scoring would continue in the 21st minute, when Haley won possession and Gorman sent a downfield pass for Linda Hoglund. Florida Southern's career points leader finished the play for her sixth goal of the season.

At that point, Florida Southern had scored on its first three shots of the game, but Nova battled back and actually had a 7-5 edge in shots by halftime. The Sharks carried that momentum into the second half too, putting steady pressure on the Moccasin defense before breaking through in the 63rd minute when Natalie Bellini scored after a corner kick. That got Nova within 3-1 and pumped new life into the visitors.

"We were fortunate to get a couple of early goals," said Moccasin coach Ben Strawbridge. "Anyone who was here tonight and saw the second half, saw just how dangerous Nova is. They had several starters out and they still continued to put a lot of pressure on us."

Haley, however, drove a dagger into the Sharks, not once but twice. After winning the ball back for Florida Southern near the top of the box in the 74th minute, Haley fired a shot inside the right post that put the Mocs back ahead by three goals. The sophomore forward then scored again with 12 minutes to play, knocking in a ball that was initially shot by Hopkins and saved by Chrissy Hy. The Nova goalkeeper was out of position after the first shot and nearly made a spectacular save against Haley, but only managed to deflect the ball.

Moccasin goalkeeper Martina Tangen Billing had to make fives saves on the other end as Florida Southern gave up a season-high 18 shots. The Mocs had been allowing just 7.9 per game before Friday. Most of those shots though came from well outside the box.

"I'm proud of these girls for how they weathered the storm in the second half. They just kept battling until we could pull away."

The battle isn't close to being over though. Nova Southeastern was the first of three teams from last year's NCAA Tournament that Florida Southern will play in the span of five days at Barnett Field. The Mocs will face Saint Leo on Sunday, and defending national champion Tampa on Tuesday.

Friday's result secured a spot in the conference tournament for Florida Southern, but the Mocs have a bigger goal. Currently ranked #6 in the South Region, they'll need to finish at that spot or higher to qualify for a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Beating Nova, which was #7, helped, but the Mocs still have games against the #2, #3, #4, and #5 teams on the list.

The first of those is Saint Leo, which holds the #5 position. The Moccasins and Lions kickoff Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

 

NSU   0   1    -   1
FSC    3   2    -   5

SCORING: FSC--Bachteler (Gorman), 5:39; FSC--Hopkins (Bachteler, Gorman), 14:13; FSC--Hoglund (Haley, Gorman), 20:30; NSU--Bellini (Palacio), 62:46; FSC--Haley (unassisted), 73:11; FSC--Haley (Hopkins), 78:00. SHOTS: NSU 18, FSC 15. CORNER KICKS: NSU 4, FSC 4. SAVES: NSU 1 (Kim 0, Hy 1), FSC 5 (Tangen Billing). FOULS: NSU 14, FSC 12. CAUTIONS: Swift (NSU), 19:13.