WINTER PARK, Fla. — Florida Southern College (13-1, 5-0) defeated Rollins College (9-7, 0-6) with a final score of 12–10 on Saturday. The Moccasins' offense was bolstered by a strong second quarter, netting five goals to gain a crucial lead.
Jenna Vetter led the Moccasins' scoring effort with four goals on 13 shots, including a game-winning goal.
Hanna Watson contributed a hat trick, converting four shots on target.
Riley Rivera added to the offensive output with one goal and two assists, finishing with four shots, all on target.
Louise Aloi tallied a goal and an assist, taking three shots with one on goal.
Audrey Cannelli led the defense with five caused turnovers and four ground balls.
The first quarter opened with both teams setting up defensively, as Rollins' Molly Mendes secured the initial draw control. After nearly seven scoreless minutes, the Tars took an early lead with Delanie Abere scoring the first goal at 8:16, assisted by Chloe Pierini. The Tars added another before Florida Southern responded with a goal by
Lindsey Tolliver at 4:28, assisted by Rivera, reducing the deficit to 2–1. Audrey Grace Mumford increased Rollins' lead to 3–1 at 2:46. Watson scored twice for the Mocs in the waning minutes of the opening frame, including a goal at 1:10, to tie the game 3–3 by the end of the quarter.
Florida Southern capitalized early in the second quarter, with Vetter scoring a free position goal just 41 seconds in. Aloi followed with another goal, extending Florida Southern's lead. Despite a turnover, Florida Southern regained control, and
Grace Curtin found the net with an assist from Rivera. Rollins responded with goals from Katie Bell and Delaney Hudson to close the gap and tie the game back at six apiece. The quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, but Rivera and Watson secured goals for Florida Southern, maintaining a slim lead at the end of the quarter. The second quarter concluded with Florida Southern leading 8–7.
In the third quarter, Florida Southern and Rollins exchanged goals in a tightly contested matchup. Vetter scored twice for Florida Southern, with her first goal coming at 10:37 and another at 4:37. Rollins responded with two goals of its own, including a player-up goal by Hudson at 5:24 and a free position shot by Abere at 2:01. The quarter ended with Florida Southern maintaining a narrow lead over Rollins, 10–9.
Florida Southern gained momentum in the fourth quarter, maintaining their lead with a final score of 12–10 against the Tars. Vetter opened the scoring in the quarter once again for Florida Southern with a goal at 13:23, followed swiftly by a goal from defender
Brayden Cannelli at 13:11, her first of the season. Rollins responded with a player-up goal from Gabby Yerardi, assisted by Chloe Pierini at 9:04, but it was not enough to close the gap. Despite multiple attempts by both teams, including shots hitting the post, Florida Southern's defense held firm, aided by key saves from
Lauren LaGrega and crucial ground ball pickups from
Audrey Cannelli, securing the 12–10 win.
LaGrega earned her first career win in goal after making two saves in the second half of action.
Florida Southern returns home for their final home matchup of the regular season against Florida Tech. The game is set for Tuesday, April 14 at 5 p.m. at Berend Field in Lakeland, Florida.
