HIALEAH, Fla. ( Aug. 29, 2023) – Florida National University’s women’s soccer team (0-1-0) handed the Florida Memorial Lions (1-0-1) their first road win since the 2018 season. FNU fell short of the mark against the Lions 2-0 Tuesday afternoon, ushering in FMU head coach Marc Lue Young’s first collegiate win.
FMU was on the attack early, picking up six shots in the first 16 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Rafaela Lozano did a good job of keeping FMU attackers at bay, picking up five saves in the early goings. Facing a 0-0 deadlock with three minutes left in the half, FMU’s offense finally broke through with a heads-up goal from Ana De Freitas, just missing the waiting hands of Lozano. FMU’s second score of the contest came off a set piece, as Kiara Kallie lobbed in a textbook corner for a searing header from Mariana Ballesteros at the 43rd-minute mark. Shortly after this unfortunate goal, both teams headed to the locker room in preparation for the second half.
The Lions kept pressuring the FNU backline, recording eight shots in the period to just two from the Conquistadors. Florida National had two final corners in dangerous territory in the final seconds of the game to try and get a last-minute goal but were unable to put the ball in the net.
Valentina Salvatierra recorded the Conquistador’s lone shot on goal, as FNU had six corners attempted to the Lions’ five.
Up Next: FNU makes the short trip to Miami Gardens, Fla., for a 5 p.m. contest versus the St. Thomas Bobcats Sept. 5.
