Box Score
LAKELAND â€" After a couple of close calls against high-caliber opponents earlier in the season, the Florida Southern Moccasins already knew just how good they could be. Sunday afternoon, against top-ranked West Florida, they got another chance to prove it. Though the game was stopped by severe weather with just over two minutes remaining, the Moccasins battled the defending national champions to a scoreless draw.
Sunday’s game marked only the second time Florida Southern had ever played a team ranked #1 in the country, and the first time in 13 years. It was also the second time in the last four years the Moccasins got a positive result against a highly-ranked West Florida team. In 2010, the Mocs defeated the Argonauts, who were ranked #2 at the time, 3-2 in overtime.
Needless to say, the Florida Southern defense took center stage in this one, allowing just eight shots overall, and just one shot on goal that was easily saved by Erin Moseley (Jacksonville, Fla.). The Moccasins (0-3-1) had seven shots of their own, including two dangerous balls by freshman Kristy Legoas (Palm Harbor, Fla.) in the first half that were just inches high.
While every Moccasin who took the field Sunday made some type of major contribution, it was the back line that kept turning aside the Argonauts (2-0-2) over and over again. Outside backs Gianna Conte (Orange Park, Fla.) and Sydney Montgomery (Sanford, Fla.) either pinned the Argos to the sides or corners, as did reserve Auburn Cherry (New Port Richey, Fla.) in her 26 minutes of work, or center backs Alyssa Abrahamsen (Highland, N.Y.) and Christine Knudstrup (Lakeland, Fla.) snuffed out most of the threats in the middle.
If possible, though, Jackie Metz (Vero Beach, Fla.) may have topped them all. The junior midfielder stood tall too many times to count inside the 18-yard line, heading out crosses or balls played into the box that never had a chance to reach an Argonaut forward.
In the first 10 minutes alone, Metz, Knudstrup and Conte all made plays in the air while defending long services or throw-ins by Chelsea Palmer. Moseley also grabbed two balls in the early going to prevent scoring chances.
Two of the three shots taken by West Florida in the first 25 minutes were of no serious consequence, but one shot the Argonauts didn’t get may have been the best chance they had all day. Midfielder Shelby Bush was able to slot a pass into Sashana Campbell running into the box for a 1-on-1 with Moseley, but Campbell stumbled and lost control of the ball. Moseley was able to pick it up and end the play without further issue.
The Argos’ best chance in the second half was on another play that wasn’t a shot. This time it was a corner kick in the 64th minute taken by Palmer, who nearly curled it in the net before Moseley was able to bat it away at the last second. Moseley also had to go high amidst a sea of bodies to grab a long free kick by Daniela Cruz that had dangerous possibilities.
The Moccasins’ had three solid opportunities in the first half from Conte and Legoas. In the 21st minute, Conte pushed forward from her right back position, and with the help of Erin Phillips (Geneva, Fla.) in the midfield, worked free for a strong shot that was saved by goalkeeper Sarah Story. It was the first of the game for Florida Southern, but Legoas followed with a 20-yarder on a free kick that sailed just high of the bar, and another longer free kick in the 35th minute that did the same.
The Mocs forced Story into two saves in the second half, and got a pair of good looks from Taylor Cox (Palm City, Fla.) and Brooke Williams (Brandon, Fla.) on two other shots, with Williams set up nicely inside the box by freshman Margot Chowansky (Califon, N.J.).
Cruz put one well wide of the post in the 88th minute for the Argonauts, and the game was stopped shortly thereafter with 2:12 remaining. The game was called roughly 45 minutes later when lightning did not allow the teams to resume within the required window to re-start the game.
Florida Southern will be at home again on Wednesday night when it hosts Saint Leo in a non-conference game beginning at 7:30 p.m.
