Florida Tech and Florida Southern have become quite familiar with one another in women's soccer, as the two teams have clashed five times in less than a year. In the latest battle between the two teams, the Panthers were able to pull out a 1-0 win Wednesday night at Barnett Field.
With the win the Panthers improve to 7-1 and 1-1 in the Sunshine State Conference, while the Moccasins fall to 4-3-1 and 1-1-1 in the SSC.
Both teams came out with high intensity to start the game. Florida Tech outshot the Mocs 10-1 in the first half, but Florida Southern’s defense held its ground and kept the Panthers off the scoreboard. Martina Tangen Billing made five of her six saves in the first half, including a diving save on a Kelly Whittaker shot in the 40th minute. The Moccasins had three corner kicks in the first half, but were unable to convert them into a goal, keeping the score tied 0-0 at halftime.
The game remained scoreless until the 64th minute, when Paula Lillsjo intercepted a pass and found Whittaker cutting to the goal for a shot that gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The Moccasins had opportunities after that and nearly scored in the 74th minute, when Kara Moore pulled a shot wide right as Panther goalkeeper Mist Eliasdottir was caught out of position. Emily Griffith had a shot shortly after that, but Eliasdottir came up with the save.
The Moccasins will return to action Saturday night, when they take on SSC opponent Barry at Barnett Field. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.Â
