Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Freshman Arielle Anahory successfully converted a pair of penalty kicks -- one in regulation and a game winner in overtime -- as the Eckerd College women's soccer team edged NAIA affiliate Florida Memorial University in its home opener on Sunday, 2-1.
The Tritons (1-1, 0-0 SSC) dictated the offensive tempo with a considerable advantage in the shot department against the Lady Lions (0-1, 0-0 TSC) in the 96-minute affair. Eckerd outshot Florida Memorial, 16-4.
The Lady Lions were playing their first game of the fall after their original season opener was canceled against Sunshine State Conference counterpart Saint Leo University.
Anahory, who drilled five shots against the University of West Georgia in the season opener last week, scored her first two collegiate goals and nearly had her third for the prized hat trick.
The native of Odessa, Fla., kept the ball low in the far left side of the net and converted the equalizer in the 72nd minute after a penalty was called inside the box.
About 24 minutes later, she booted home the game winner in the overtime session after play was stopped for a hand ball and targeted the opposite location on the right side.
Anahory nearly collided with charging FMU goalkeeper Natalia Gomez in the 34th minute, but she was able to fire a floater that banged against the crossbar. All told, the Mitchell High School product registered eight total shots on the afternoon.
But the Tritons had to rally from down a goal after the Lady Lions exploited a seam in the Eckerd defense before halftime. A streaking Natashalee Scott cashed in on a feed from Josephine Frigerio for the early first-half advantage.
Eckerd reserve goaltender Morgan Crescent played the majority of the match in net, marking her first action of the season. She was credited with the win in over 51 minutes of playing time and recorded one save.
FMU's Gomez was tagged for both Tritons' goals in the complete-game effort.
On the docket next for the Tritons is another NAIA opponent later this week, this time against Ave Maria University on Wednesday. The match is scheduled to get underway in Ave Maria at 7 p.m.
