MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Florida Southern College women's soccer improved to 2-0 on the season following a decisive 2-0 victory over Anderson University (S.C.) in the opening round of the 2021 Bobcat Kickoff Classic, hosted by Georgia College on Saturday evening.
Although the margin of victory wasn't quite as large as the 7-0 defeat of Edward Waters University in the season-opener on Thursday, the Mocs controlled much of Saturday's bout with Anderson. FSC finished with a 23-to-6 advantage in overall shots, including a 13-to-2 lead in shots on goal. The nine goals netted by the Mocs so far in 2021 are the most scored in a two-game span since logging nine in back-to-back games against the University of West Georgia (W, 6-0) and Lynn University (T, 3-3) in late October of 2013.
In Their Own Words
Head Coach
Paul Lawrence on the progression of Florida Southern's offense following two strong outings to start the 2021 season...
"I think it's been great the way we have continued to click and find even more cohesion each game, especially against a tough opponent and on the road. The way we have continued to adopt the ideas we have been working on has been an encouraging sign for what we can accomplish this season."
How It Happened
- After 36 minutes of scoreless action, the Mocs broke through in the 37th minute on a great individual effort from Rebeka Mejia. Mejia collected an over-the-top pass down the left side and raced towards the end line. With a defender draped all over her, she made a quick turn back up field and fired a shot from a tough angle inside the near post.
- Offense continued to flow in the remainder of the first half, as Anderson keeper Jeanette Campbell was forced to make a pair of diving stops, the first to deny Tatum Albrecht on a long-range attempt from 25 yards out in the 39th minute.
- Elena Brkic almost doubled the FSC lead in the 41st minute with a shot nearly identical to Mejia's goal, but Campbell made another great diving stop for the Trojans.
- The leading scorer from the win over EWU, Caitlyn Lowery, provided much of Southern's offensive chances in the second half. All five of her shots came after the intermission, including FSC's second goal.
- In the 67th minute, Lowery found herself on the receiving end of a well-timed through ball from Rachel Peck, which put the senior striker one-on-one with Anderson's goalie. From the left side of the box, she tucked the ball into the lower right corner for an insurance goal.
- With 21 minutes to go in regulation, Moccasin goalie Jenny Staten made one of her two saves, falling on a shot near the left post to preserve the clean sheet.
Inside the Numbers
- Florida Southern improved to 2-0 to start the season, matching the team's record to open their most recent fall campaign in 2019.
- The back-to-back shutouts are the first for the Mocs since the first two games of the 2019 season, both of which were 1-0 wins over Shorter and Georgia College.
- Lowery's goal marked her third of the year, already a single-season career-high for the senior through only two games.
- Mejia has scored a goal in consecutive games to begin her collegiate career, with Saturday's tally going down as her first game-winner.
- With eight career shutouts, Staten takes sole possession of third place in the program record books.
- FSC improved to 2-0-1 all-time against Anderson and has outscored the Trojans, 5-0, in those three meetings.
Up Next
On Monday, September 6, the Mocs concluded the 2021 Bobcat Kickoff Classic with an 11:00 a.m. matchup against Spring Hill College.
