Lady Hornets fall in North Florida barnburner
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (bamastatesports.com) – The Alabama State women’s soccer team gave themselves the best chance they’ve had all season, leading by a two-goal margin heading into the second half at North Florida.
With the offense clicking and the energy on the upswing, it appeared that the Lady Hornets were well on their way to victory.
A season-high four-goal outburst wasn’t enough though as Alabama State squandered a 3-1 halftime advantage with Katy Mixon scoring the winner in the 71st minute as host North Florida beat out Alabama State in a wild, barnburner 5-4 Sunday afternoon at Hodges Stadium.
A back-and-forth tempo characterized game flow with three ties and ASU clinging to a 4-3 lead into the 62nd minute.
North Florida held a 10-7 advantage for shots on goal including 22-12 for shots in the game.
The Ospreys (1-2-2) struck first on a goal by Alexis Bredeau in the eighth minute.
It would the first of three on the day for her.
The Lady Hornets (0-5) had an answer, however, as Ariela Lewis scored on a breakaway created by a slip pass from her sister Aaliyah Lewis in the 26th minute.
It was her team-leading third goal of the season.
In the 35th minute, Inma Martinez gave ASU the lead when she launched a ball from approximately 30 yards away on an angle.
The Spaniard when up top with a precise shot that North Florida goalkeeper Victoria Ekeli could not stop even with her well-timed jump.
After she scored, Martinez yelled in jubilation and raised a fist pump.
Alabama State added to their lead on sheer hustle and a keen sense of awareness as sophomore Emily Fleming came racing toward the net after Ekeli couldn’t corral a shot attempt.
Off the rebound, Fleming got the touch as put it through the net as the two players hit the ground inside the net to give ASU a 3-1 cushion heading into halftime.
The Ospreys responded quickly in the second half when Bredeau picked up her second and third goals of the game on a pair of shots from inside the box where she was able to break free.
In the 58th minute, Martinez put ASU back in the lead on her second goal of the day when she received a penalty kick after she was knocked down inside the 18-yard box.
North Florida tied the match for the third time at 4-4 when Sarah Wasser received a penalty kick and made good on her attempt as ASU goalkeeper Zaria Maynard slowed the ball, but did not completely stop from trickling into the net.
Maynard finished with five saves.
A lightning delay of 15 minutes pushed back the start of the match.
Feels like the first time
Emily LaRue made her first career start as a midfielder. She played 65 minutes, but did not attempt a shot.
Next up
Alabama State returns to Montgomery and will open a four-game home stand against Lipscomb on Friday at 7 p.m.
