Hatters Even Record with Big Road Win Over FAU

8/23/09

DeLand, Fla. – The Stetson women's soccer team improved to 1-1 on the season after an impressive 2-0 win over Florida Atlantic. Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Tessa Gavilsky Granite City, Ill.) each contributed to both goals.

Stetson scored its first goal at 29:32 of the first half. Gavilsky, the 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Year and leading scorer in the league tallied her first goal of the 2009 campaign when she knocked in a well placed cross by Bitetto.

Just three minutes later (33:50) Bitetto answered with her first goal of the season assisted by Gavilsky and Emily Ware (St. Petersburg, Fla.).



After a scoreless second half Stetson took home its first win a Florida Atlantic since 1996. The Hatters defeated the Owls last season in DeLand, the first win over the Owls at home since 1999. Stetson is now 2-6 overall against FAU since Head Coach Julie Orlowski took over the program in 2001.



“In the history of this rivalry Brian (Dooley-FAU Head Coach) has owned our program for years,” said Orlowski. “I think some of our younger players are oblivious to that but to have taken two straight is huge for us.”



Stetson led Florida Atlantic 16-8 in shots, while the teams were an even 5-5 in corner kicks. Hatters goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves, Mo.) made two saves in the game and registered her first shutout of the season. Gavilsky led the visitors in shots with seven, Heather Berg (Fort Myers, Fla.) and Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) each chipped in a pair.



Today’s game was the season-opener for the host Owls (0-1).



“We had an advantage today because we had played on Friday,” said Orlowski. “FAU had a lot of great plays but couldn’t break through. I think some little things with their timing and rhythm weren’t clicking today, but they are going to be very tough team to deal with”.



Stetson returns to the pitch Thursday to host Embry-Riddle at 7:00 p.m.