LAKELAND, Fla. – Kara Moore came up with a hat trick in the second half to lead Florida Southern College on an improbable comeback against the Eckerd College women's soccer program on Saturday afternoon, 3-1.
Moore trumped the Tritons' (7-4-2, 3-3-1 SSC) go-ahead goal in the first half and then some, scoring in the 55th, 68th and 83rd, minutes for the Mocs (5-5-2, 3-1-1 SSC).
Depending on how the rest of today's action from the Sunshine State Conference unfolds, the standings will most likely shift around. Eckerd came into today tied for third in the league standings with Lynn University.
Freshman
Michelle Spesshardt snapped a scoreless tie with her third goal of the season after senior defender
Dana Treat served in a ball from the right side of the box.
Spesshardt scored in back-to-back games after she found the net earlier this week against Clearwater Christian College.
The Tritons would hold on to the lead going into the intermission, but rode the leg of Moore in the final period.
Moore fired off multiple shots early in the second half before tying the match up at 1-1 at the 55:27 mark on an attempt from the far left wing.
The Mocs took the lead less than 13 minutes later after Moore pushed home a penalty kick opportunity past EC goalkeeper
Morgan Crescent.
Crescent was under duress for the match as FSC outshot the Tritons, 20-7. She made five saves in the effort while Mocs' netminder Erin Moseley made two saves on seven shots faced.
The Tritons had all four of their corner kick attempts in Florida Southern territory looking to tie after the second goal was tallied, but Moore ended hopes of a rally by striking again with seven minutes left in regulation to complete the hat trick.
Only one of Moore's goals was assisted, with Jackie Metz earning the credit for the Mocs' final score.
The Tritons will regroup and prepare for an important rematch against Rollins College at the Turley Athletic Complex on Wednesday. After falling against the Tars in Winter Park, Eckerd will be looking to avenge the non-conference defeat at 5 p.m.
