LAKELAND, Fla. – A penalty goal by the Florida Southern College women's soccer team was not enough to take down No. 5 University of West Florida, as the Mocs lost 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Berend Field.
The Mocs (1-1, 0-0 SSC) battled from behind the entire game, earning a penalty opportunity from a handball in the box.
Madison Male took the honors and nailed the goal but was unable to tally another as the Argos (2-0, 0-0 GSC) took the win.
Florida Southern struggled offensively at the start, unable to notch a shot in the first half. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the field, the Argos attacked with seven shots in the first half, including a shot on goal in the first 19 seconds, requiring a save by Moccasin keeper
Jenny Staten. Florida Southern fended off a few more shots with the first Argonaut goal in the 30
th minute by Manami Okada off a pass by Ragazzone.
In the final minutes of the first half, West Florida added to its lead with another goal by Okada, this time off a free kick by Favier.
The battle continued into the second half, this time with a few shots by the Moccasins to narrow the deficit. In the 60
th minute,
Sierra Spirk had a shot that was blocked but eventually, a handball in the box by the Argos led to a penalty kick opportunity for the Mocs. Male took the kick in the upper right of the box for the score and a 2-1 score with just under 30 minutes left in the game.
FSC tallied three shots in the second half, holding the Argos to just four shots and no additional goals.
Rilee Hasegawa had a last-minute effort to equalize but the boot was saved by the Argos to seal a 2-1 loss for the Mocs. Staten finished the game with two saves in her 90 minutes, while UWF edged FSC in corners five-to-one.
The Mocs will stay at home as they face Georgia Southwestern State University on Friday, Sept. 8, set for a 7 p.m. start at Berend Field. Mocs wrap up their home start to the season against Lander on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m.
