ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After two hours of weather delays and exciting final minutes, a late rally by Florida Southern College women's soccer fell short in a 4-3 loss to Eckerd College Wednesday night in the Sunshine State Conference opener.
The Mocs (3-3-1, 0-1 SSC) fell behind early and a second-half hat trick by
Sierra Spirk, including two penalties in the final three minutes, could not catch up in a 4-3 loss. The Tritons (4-4, 1-1 SSC) scored three goals in the first half and fended off FSC's shots with nine saves in the conference victory over the Mocs. Spirk's hat trick was the 12
th all-time in program history.
Trouble for the Mocs began in the first two minutes as the Tritons lasered in a goal from Kendall Drummond. Seven minutes later, Eckerd went up 2-0 off a free kick by Aisling Spillane. While the Mocs were unable to find the net, Eckerd continued to cash in as Drummond scored her second goal of the night for a 3-0 deficit in the 25
th minute.
Despite the 3-0 lead by Eckerd, the Mocs out-shot the Tritons in the first half, including several shots on goal.
Anita Vera had two shots on goal in the first half, with five other Moccasins on target but saved by the Tritons to remain ahead at half.
The second half had similar misfortune as a corner kick in the first minute dropped in the box for Spillane's second goal of the night in a 4-0 Eckerd lead. Challenging the Tritons despite the score, the Mocs had their next best opportunity with a tough shot by
Rilee Hasegawa that was saved once again by Eckerd's keeper.
Florida Southern jumped on the scoreboard in the 56
th minute of the game after a pass by
Malia Brost in the box popped up for Spirk to head the ball over EC's keeper for a goal. FSC gained momentum on the offense with several shots over the next 10 minutes, including a shot by
Madison Male that nearly found the net.
The Moccasins continued to control the ball through the majority of the second half and were awarded two late penalty opportunities in the final three minutes. Spirk took the honors, nailing both penalties to seal a hat trick for herself, and an interesting final 30 seconds, down by one. Despite the impressive three goals by the freshman forward, Florida Southern ran out of time in the 4-3 loss. Spirk's hat trick was 12
th all-time for the women's soccer program and the first since Oct. 21, 2015, when Anna Griessler scored three, also against Eckerd.
FSC won the shots battle with 20 in the game (a new season high), but EC shined with nine saves to fend off the Moccasins. The Mocs also held the advantage in corners (10-to-four) but were again unable to convert into goals in the tough road loss plagued by weather delays.
The Mocs will return to Lakeland to host Lynn University on Saturday for Senior Night. A pregame ceremony honoring the class of 2023 will take place before the 7 p.m. kickoff.
