DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 22nd-ranked Embry-Riddle women's soccer team celebrated its 2021 Senior Night with a 1-0 defeat of Lynn, Saturday at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. Saturday's match was the final regular season home contest for seniors
Anita Agustsdottir,
Natalie Allen,
Ragnheidur Gardarsdottir,
Eva Jonsdottir and
Allie McMandon and all five were recognized in a ceremony prior to kick-off.
"You always want to get a win on Senior Night and honor the seniors the right way, so this win means a lot," ERAU Head Coach
Samantha Bohon commented. "We are fully prepared to battle every game as there are no easy games in our conference. Lynn poses a tricky matchup with their direct style and dangerous forwards, so I was proud of our group for keeping a clean sheet.
"Natalie, Eva, Aníta, Ragnheidur and Allie have been incredible players and people during their time here. We are so grateful for their investment and will work hard to make the rest of this year special."
While it was the seniors who were celebrated before the game, it was a freshman who tallied the game's only goal as
Marianna Pezzella netted the game-winner in the second half to push the Eagles' record to 7-3-2 overall and 5-2-1 in the Sunshine State Conference.
Lynn drops to 4-6-1 overall and 3-6 in the league with the loss.
The Eagles came into Saturday's game averaging 13.36 shots. They bettered that mark against Lynn, out shooting the Fighting Knights 16-11. Both teams were tied 6-6 in shots on goal, but while ERAU netminder
Oona Jokinen was able to turn back all six of Lynn's attempts, the Fighting Knights' Sofia Manner was only able to collect five saves, allowing the all-important Pezzella goal.
The Eagles dominated possession in the first period, keeping the ball on the Fighting Knights' side of the field for much of the first 45 minutes. The Blue and Gold held a 9-4 shot advantage but were unable to convert any of their chances into a goal, resulting in a scoreless tie at the break.
The Eagles finally broke through just over five minutes into the second half. A quick Eagle counterattack resulted in a corner kick, which was taken by
Isabelle Navren, whose cross into the box fell to
Hattie Kettle. Kettle headed the ball to the feet of Pezzella and the freshman tapped in the first goal of her collegiate career to put the Blue and Gold ahead 1-0 in the 51
st minute.
Both teams combined for 11 shots in the final 30 minutes of regulation, but Pezzella's goal held as the only score of the night, giving the Eagles their third consecutive win and their fourth shutout of the season.
The Eagles will play their final two regular season contests on the road, beginning with a 7 p.m. match in Lakeland against Florida Southern on Wednesday.
The Embry-Riddle women's soccer season is presented by Radiology Associates.
