The Florida Tech Panthers overcame an early second-half goal by Valdosta State’s Mallory McDaniel on Sunday, scoring twice in the second half and coming away with their second consecutive victory at Rick Stottler Field.
Florida Tech (2-2-1) came out strong in this one, taking four shots in the first 8:25. Keira McCarthy had a decent early chance with 12:47 gone by but VSU goalie Caroline Embler made the save and secured the rebound.
Panthers netminder Maria Sanchez Recuero made a nice save less than seven minutes later, diving to stop a shot off the foot of Suvi Savolainen.
FIT’s first corner of the day came with 5:20 left in the first half. Macey Hedelund took it after a Florida Tech fouled, they got the ball back and Elisabeth Stoffel found McCarthy, who put it past Embler and gave the home team a 1-0 lead with 2:03 to go in the first half.
Florida Tech took seven shots in the first half, two on goal. Two of the Blazers four shots were on goal. Recuero made two saves in the half and Embler had one. Florida Tech was awarded the only corner kick of the first half.
Valdosta State (2-2) didn’t waste any time tying the game up. Kyleigh Reedy took the initial shot and Recuero made a nice save, but she was unable to corral the rebound and Mallory McDaniel got to the loose ball and shot it into an empty net, making it 1-1.
It took just 4:09 for the Panthers to tie things up. Hedelund took a corner and after Embler made the initial save of a Sara Carroll header, Stoffel got the rebound and put it in the back if the net to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Maria Munoz got the Panthers insurance goal with 21:55 remaining in the game, beating her defender and then beating Samantha Blanford, who replaced Embler in goal, less than eight minutes earlier.
It was the third goal of the season for Munoz and the Panthers were able to beat back a couple late Valdosta State attacks in the offensive zone, preserving the victory.
For more info: Valdosta State @ Florida Tech Box Score
The Panthers will look to keep their win streak going Wednesday night when they travel to St. Augustine to take on Flagler College. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:00 p.m.