Second-Half Surge Lifts Flagler Past Tritons

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Eckerd women's soccer team got an early goal from Stephanie Linton, but a three-goal barrage in the second half lifted Flagler (Fla.) over the Tritons on Saturday, 4-1.

The match got off to a late start due to a lengthy weather delay during the previous contest at the Flagler Invitational.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Flagler 4, Eckerd 1
Records: Eckerd 0-2, Flagler 1-0
All-Time Series: Flagler leads, 4-3-1

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Eckerd wasted little time in getting on the board, taking an early lead in the 13th minute on a goal by Linton.  Paula Astiazaran flicked a pass to Linton, who raced past the defense and beat Flagler keeper Sarah-Lisa Dubel for her second goal in as many days.
- The Tritons continued to control the run of play throughout the first half, outshooting Flagler 10-4.  Astiazaran almost added a goal in the 25th minute on a direct kick from just outside the box, but the attempt was turned away on a diving save by Dubel.
- The Saints equalized the match in the 33rd minute when Katie Reed received a pass in the box and slipped a shot past EC keeper Casey Winn.
- Eckerd had three more chances to retake the lead before halftime on shots from Kayla Gray and Marie Zeidler, but Dubel stopped each attempt.
- Flagler then took control from the start of the second half, quickly scoring the go-ahead goal in the 54th minute on a shot from Fio Fustagno that deflected off the post and across the line.
- The Saints continued to generate chances on offense throughout the remainder of the contest, adding goals in the 82nd and 86th minutes, while Eckerd managed just one shot in the final 45 minutes.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The match was certainly a tale of two halves.  EC held a 10-4 edge in shots in the first half but Flagler outshot the Tritons in the second half, 9-1.
- Astiazaran, Linton and Gray each took three shots, combining for nine of Eckerd's 11 attempts.

NOTABLE
- Linton's goal makes her the first Eckerd freshman to find the net in her first two college matches since Rachel Price in 2012.

UP NEXT
- The Tritons get a day off on Saturday before returning to the field on Sunday, taking on Spring Hill (Ala.) College at 11:30 AM at the Flagler Invitational.