FORT MYERS, Fla. – In a thrilling match, North Florida Women’s Soccer edged past Eastern Kentucky, winning 1-0 and securing a spot in the ASUN Championship Semifinals. The game took place at Pickering Field, where redshirt junior forward Allie Fekany scored the decisive header in the 85th minute, marking her sixth goal this season.
With this victory, UNF’s record stands at 8-8-4. Notably, Eastern Kentucky ranked 54th in the RPI standings, making this win even more significant for the Ospreys.
Goalkeeper Avery played a crucial role, achieving her fourth clean sheet of the season. She made seven saves—five in the first half alone—showing her strength in goal. Stats show that she has consistently kept the team competitive, with five or more saves in four different matches this season.
The Ospreys started strong, putting pressure on EKU with five shots on goal within the first 12 minutes. Redshirt junior Isabella Pontieri was particularly impactful, taking seven shots, five of which were on target. Senior midfielder Chloe Lynch also contributed with three shots on goal. However, the first half ended scoreless, despite North Florida dominating possession and opportunities.
As the second half began, UNF continued their aggressive strategy with back-to-back shots from freshman defender Skya Horth and sophomore midfielder Taylor Tamares. But it was Fekany’s late goal that ultimately sealed the win for the Ospreys.
Pontieri concluded the match with impressive stats, having 11 goals this season and consistently performing well with at least five shots in ten games. This level of play demonstrates her standing as a key player in the squad.
In total, 19 athletes from North Florida participated in this match, highlighting the depth of the team. Players like midfielder Zoe Looker and senior defender Brialyn Anderson played the full 90 minutes, showcasing endurance and team spirit.
Looking ahead, North Florida will face the winner of the Florida Gulf Coast vs. Bellarmine match in the ASUN Championship Semifinals on Sunday, November 2, at 1 p.m.
This season has seen North Florida grow and adapt, showcasing talent across the board. As they prepare for the next challenge, fans and players alike are excited to see how far they can go.
