Box Score
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The third time turned out to be the charm for the fifth-seeded Eckerd College women's soccer program against No. 4 Nova Southeastern University as it served an upset special in the quarterfinals of the Florida Blue Sunshine State Conference Championship on Tuesday night, 1-0.
After enduring a double-overtime scoreless tie and loss to the Sharks (4-8-3) in the regular season, the Tritons (10-6-3) were able to seal the deal to keep their season alive when it counted most.
Sophomore forward
Arie Anahory put the Tritons on top in the first half with her fifth goal of the season and sophomore goalkeeper
Morgan Crescent turned in a performance in net that was nothing short of spectacular.
“This time around we had a lot more of our players healthy who were injured before,” EC Head Coach
Danielle Fotopoulos said. “We stayed composed and executed our game plan of solid defense and getting our shots on goal.”
Already making the school's first-ever appearance in the conference tournament, the Tritons will look to make more noise in the semifinals against No. 1 seed Rollins College on Friday evening in Winter Park.
It was a record-breaking night for Crescent as she took the top spot in single-season school history for the most shutouts with her seventh of the fall.
She also had 19 saves on the night, which puts her in second for the most saves recorded in a single game (
Lauren Fernandez stopped 24 shots against No. 18 North Alabama in 2011).
Nova Southeastern held a 32-2 advantage in the shot department.
After a foul was whistled on Nova Southeastern, Eckerd freshman
Fallon Vaughan stepped up and placed a ball right across the left side of the field where Anahory was waiting to place a header into the back of the net.
Anahory scored in the 35th minute of regulation.
No. 3 Florida Southern College advanced after a shootout against No. 6 Lynn University to face second-seeded University of Tampa in the other semifinal on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
The Tritons will head down to Winter Park to face the Tars for the third time this season.
Friday's match between the Tritons and Tars will be the nightcap of a semifinal doubleheader, officially getting underway at 7 p.m. Live stats and video/audio will be available for the match.
2012 Florida Blue SSC Women's Soccer Championship Results
Tuesday, Oct. 30 (Quarterfinals)
No. 5 Eckerd def. No. 4 Nova Southeastern, 1-0
No. 3 Florida Southern def. No. 6 Lynn, 1-1 (PK's)
Friday, Nov. 2 (Semifinals)
No. 3 Florida Southern at No. 2 Tampa – 4:30 p.m.
No. 5 Eckerd at No. 1 Rollins – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 4 (Championship Final)
Semifinal winners – 1 p.m.
