Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Miami, Fla. -- Senior Alicia Briggs (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) tallied the game-winning goal with less than six minutes remaining in regulation as Stetson women's soccer defeated Miami 2-1 for the first time in the program's history.

"It was a benchmark win for our program," said head coach Julie Orlowski. "Especially to come back and beat this team after a 7-0 loss here three years ago."

With the score tied 1-1, Briggs took a pass from sophomore Kelsey Kramer (Satellite Beach, Fla.) and launched a ball over the Hurricanes' goalkeeper from more than 35 yards out to tally the gamewinner at 84:52 for her first goal of the season.

Meghan McKinsey put Miami on the board first with a goal at 39:03, which was followed by more than an hour lightning delay, and then her team took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Senior Andrea Rice (Lakeland, Fla.) then knotted things up in the 64th minute with help from freshman Sarah Isley (Ft. Myers, Fla.) for her first goal of the year.

"It was definitely a total team effort as 19 players came in the game and all of them played important roles," said Orlowski. "But it is also a tribute to our seniors that they were responsible for those two goals and to April Eilering who was a huge factor with several major saves."

Eilering, junior from Troy, Ill., grabbed a season-high nine saves in 90 minutes in goal. Alex Alford allowed both goals for Miami for the loss.

Stetson is at home Saturday when it hosts Kent State at the Stetson Soccer Field at 7 p.m.