Date Posted: 10/8/2006

DELAND, Fla. - Sarah Stock's goal in the 74th minute gave the Stetson women's soccer team their fifth straight win in a 1-0 final against Belmont Sunday afternoon at the Stetson Soccer Field. The Hatters retained first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference with a record of 5-0-1.

"It was a very well-fought match," said Head Coach Julie Orlowski. "Belmont is a much-improved team over last year, so we feel fortunate to get the win."

Stock's game-winner came quickly once the Hatters gained possession. Emily Ware started the attack with a crisp pass across the top of the penalty box to Jessica Spencer, who then quickly reversed direction with a one-touch pass to Stock, who made a short jab to punch the ball into the left corner. It was Stock's third goal of the weekend and her team-leading fifth goal of the year.

"We had great one-touch passing all the way along the left side of the field, back to the right," described Orlowski. "It was just a great team effort. That was a SportsCenter goal for sure."

Perhaps a SportsCenter stop went to Belmont’s keeper Micaela Crowley. Midway through the second half she came out of the net early, giving Stetson’s Heather Berg a chance to score the game’s first goal. However, Crowley miraculously recovered and made a remarkable backwards leap to the upper left corner of the goal to keep it scoreless at the time.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper April Eilering recorded her fifth straight shutout and her sixth overall. Eilering made just one save, but it was an impressive effort as she kangarooed upward to punch a hard shot from Annie Musacchio over the crossbar.

"She only had to make one save, but that was a special save," said Orlowski. "When she had to sit there for basically 70 minutes and then touch that ball over the bar, it was huge for us and difficult save to make when you're dead cold."

The defense in front of Eilering held Belmont to just five shots, including the one on goal that led to Eilering's save.

"The backs and the way they kept things organized, kept things very predictable and not dangerous for April," said Orlowski.

Stetson next travels to Florida State on Wednesday for a 4:00 PM game against the Seminoles.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Women's Soccer