Hermosa Nets Game-Winner Over Redhawks

9/10/10

Cape Girardeau, Mo. – In front of what seemed like a home crowd in Cape Girardeau, Missouri junior midfielder Alexis Hermosa (Orlando, Fla.) tallied the game-winner in the 63rd minute and gave Stetson a 3-2 win over Southeast Missouri (3-3-0). A large contingent of Hatter parents, family and friends made the trip from the St. Louis area to cheer on the visitors. The victory ended a three-game skid for the Hatters who are now 3-4-0 on the season.

"Tonight was a total team effort", said Stetson head coach Julie Orlowski. "Everyone worked hard and showed heart and pride. We really came together well."

Opening up the scoring with the only goal of the first half was Stetson's "Dynamic Duo" plus one. Freshman Alyssa Welsh (Edison, NJ) picked up the first assist of her career, and the first of two on the night when she fed Katie Bitetto (Jacksonville, Fla.) who set up Tessa Gavilsky (Granite City, Ill.) on her second goal of the season.

After the Redhawks evened the score at one in the 50th minute the Hatters struck back quickly when their kickoff play resulted in another goal. Welsh set up junior Courtney Jenista (Pensacola, Fla.) for her conference-leading 4th goal of the season at 50:24.

Seven minutes later Southeast Missouri tied the game on a free kick and then was foiled by Hermosa's game-winner with just over 27 minutes left to play. The Redhawks finished with a 24-16 advantage in shots and had six corner kicks to zero for the Hatters. Missouri native Andrea Garavaglia (Webster Groves) picked up six saves, and along with the Stetson midfield helped lead the team to its win.

"Kaisi, Tessa and Hermi controlled the midfield and the tempo of the game", said Orlowski. "The back four did a great job as well. The whole team fought hard and deserved the win tonight."

"We really appreciated our fans coming in from St. Louis and making so much noise tonight", she added.

Next up for the Hatters is a drive to St. Louis for a game against Arkansas-Little Rock on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. Stetson is 0-1-0 all-time against UALR with the first meeting coming in 1993. Tonight was the first-ever meeting with Southeast Missouri.