VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Nov. 12, 2022) – Despite a disappointing loss in the semifinals of the USCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship, Florida National shined in its third-place match against the Mississippi University for Women Owls 3-2. The Conquistadors end the season 5-6-1 with this final match of the 2022 season, and the Owls leave Virginia Beach, Va., losing two matches and ending the year 8-8-1.
The Conquistadors put the heartache of a 1-0 loss to number-one seed Maine University at Fort Kent behind them as they got off to a 2-0 lead in the opening half. A breakaway move from Mickaela Calisto set up a perfect goal for newcomer Delmis Reyes Amaya just 10 minutes into the match.
About seven minutes later, senior forward Casia Kennedy found the back of the net off a stellar pass from Reyes Amaya. The Owl’s Molly Moore had an early shot at her first goal of the match that was quickly snatched up by FNU goalkeeper Vanessa Osorio at around the 18-minute mark. At the 35-minute mark, Moore’s moment finally arrived as she sailed in a defect-cutting goal on an assist from Savannah Cooper.
Lizabeth Ardanal made it a 3-1 FNU lead with just two minutes left in the half as Reyes Amaya picked up her second assist of the morning. With a cushy two-goal advantage Florida National looked to put the Owls away in the second half.
The Owls had a bit of luck on their side as an own made it 3-2 just seven minutes into the second half. The Conquistadors played the remainder of the game with a perfect mix of aggression and defensive awareness to keep their advantage as the half ticked to an end.
FNU had 13 shots and two corners in the match. Osorio had five saves in the match while the Owls recorded 11 shots and two corner kicks in 90 minutes of play.
