Shimberg Nets Hat Trick in 3-1 Upset of #25 Eagles

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A hat trick by Ashley Shimberg led to a 3-1 upset by Florida Southern College women's soccer over No. 25 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the ERAU Soccer Stadium on Wednesday Night.
 
The Moccasins (5-5-4, 1-4-3 SSC) outshot the Eagles with the first hat trick by the Mocs since last season and the first road win against ERAU since 1998. The Eagles (8-5-2, 4-3-2 SSC) could not stop the shots on goal by FSC with only a first-half goal to tally on the board.
 
A fast start compared to the last few games for the Mocs with early shots taken by both teams. Rilee Hasegawa had an early shot on goal in the eighth minute that was saved by ERAU and later a shot by Madison Male that was sent high. The subsequent goal kick was mishandled by the Eagles for a steal by Ally Prentice with a short cross to Shimberg to head it in for the first FSC goal of the night.
 
There was only one shot over the next 20 minutes before kick passing popped over the FSC backline for a goal by Lauryn Mateo and the Eagles to tie the game. FSC followed with a few shots before Shimberg took control once again with a solo goal in the 38^th minute to regain the lead. The Mocs went into halftime with a 2-1 lead after keeping ERAU away from a game-tying opportunity.
 
Florida Southern kept the offensive pressure out of the halftime break with a flurry of shots by Shimberg, Prentice, Ori Gotauco, Megan Rhonemus, and Bria Weldon. Meanwhile, on the defensive side, FSC fended off limited shots by ERAU with only one early shot on goal for the second half. As the Moccasins continued to control the game and most of the possession from the Eagles, Shimberg recorded her third goal in the 88^th minute with another elusive shot past the keeper.
 
The hat trick by Shimberg is the first since Sierra Spirk against Eckerd on Sept. 20, 2023, and her eighth goal of the season thus far. The Mocs outshot the Eagles 13-to-9 with 8-to-2 shots on goal led by FSC. Lily O'Neil had another start and her first collegiate win with one save in the 3-1 victory. ERAU keeper Oona Jokinen finished with five saves on the night.
 
The Mocs will return to Lakeland for a Saturday night matchup on Nov. 2 against Barry University at 6 p.m. on Berend Field.
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