LAKELAND, Fla. — #2/#4 Florida Southern (8-1, 0-0) delivered a commanding 20-10 victory over #4/#2 Maryville University (6-2, 0-0) on Sunday, showcasing their largest win over a top 5 opponent since April 11, 2017, against #5 Rollins. The Moccasins' offense shone with four player-up goals, underscoring their impressive performance.

Kolby Cohen led the charge with a career-high four goals and an assist. Riley Rivera excelled with two goals, including the game-winner, plus two assists. Grace Curtin was instrumental with a career-high four goals, including two during player-up situations. Louise Aloi set the stage with four assists. Rebekah Bargeron stood tall in net with seven saves on 13 shots on goal. She earned the win, improving her record to 6-0 on the season. Cohen and Leanna Rivera dominated on the draw, with significant contributions from Audrey Cannelli on the draw circle. Charlie Laye anchored the Moccasins defense with four caused turnovers and three ground balls. 

The Mocs wasted no time taking control, with Jenna Vetter netting the first goal at 13:18, marking her 22nd of the season. Maryville's Devyn Dimovitz quickly answered with a player-up goal assisted by Helen Bae, leveling the score. Florida Southern surged ahead with goals from Curtin, Riley Rivera, and Kelsey Bennett, pushing the lead to 5-2 by 8:01. Maryville tried to close the gap with a free position goal by Bae at 6:19, but Curtin's third goal of the quarter, with an assist from Aloi, secured a 6-3 lead for Florida Southern by the end of the first quarter. Cohen was pivotal with her draw control dominance throughout the quarter.

In the second quarter, Florida Southern continued to build their lead. Kassidy Miller opened with a goal at 14:35, assisted by Aloi. Cohen followed with two goals, one assisted by Aloi at 13:28 and another unassisted at 9:33. She added a free position goal at 5:16. Rivera capitalized on a free position at 3:57, extending the lead to 11-3. Maryville managed to score late in the quarter, with Dimovitz at 0:38 and Kylie Pettus with a free position goal just before the buzzer, cutting the lead to 11-5.

The Moccasins held firm in the third quarter, starting with a free position goal from Hanna Watson at 13:53, her fourth of the season. Curtin took advantage of a player-up opportunity at 13:05, assisted by Cohen. Maryville's Bae responded with a goal at 12:00, but Florida Southern kept the pressure with goals from Isabella Bright at 3:29 and Cohen at 0:49. Bennett rounded out the quarter with a goal at 0:20, assisted by Watson, putting Florida Southern ahead 16-7.

Florida Southern dominated the fourth quarter, beginning with Baillie Pinder's goal at 12:10, assisted by Watson. Miller and Watson each added unassisted goals, stretching the lead to 19-7. Maryville fought back with goals from Bae and two from Paige Murphy, reducing the deficit to 19-10. Florida Southern's Danielle Mojsej sealed the scoring at 1:48, ending the game at 20-10. 

Looking ahead, Florida Southern will host Saint Leo University on Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. at Berend Field in Lakeland. Read Full Article