Panthers Notch Second Conference Win Defeating Rollins 4-1

With Today’s Win Tech has advanced to #6 in the SSC striving for one of the Six Bids for the Conference Tourney

MELBOURNE, Fla.–Florida Tech’s two forwards senior Kelli Huarte (Manteca, Calif.) and sophomore Ericka Hildreth (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) each tallied two goals
to help the Panthers overtake the Rollins Tars in Sunshine State Conference action during the final week of regulation play. Tech (6-7-2, 2-4-1) notched
the 4-1 victory over conference rival Rollins (7-8-0, 2-6-0) earlier today at the Rick Stottler Field.

“We capitalized on our chances today and that was the difference in the game,” stated head coach Fidgi Haig.

“I was pleased with the good offensive efforts that were played by Ericka and Kelli as well as our midfield with both Megan Kramer (Satellite Beach, Fla.)
and Miranda Tessier (Vero Beach, Fla.) playing tough despite being ill.”

Huarte struck first for the Panthers at the 16th minute after successfully finishing a shot that teammate Hildreth unsuccessfully played into the Tars’
post. Huarte made an aggressive move to finish the offensive action that resulted in her smacking into the post herself after the first goal.

Hildreth was the quickest player on the field today outrunning the Tars’ defense numerous times during the match. Her quickness assured Tech’s second goal
at the 28th minute after she drove past the back line and drew out Rollins’ junior goalkeeper Francesca Nicoloso (Tallahassee, FL) only to maneuver past
Nicoloso for the open net shot which would prove to be the game winner for the Crimson and Gray.

Hildreth again broke through the middle and repeated the earlier action of overtaking Nicoloso for the third goal of the game allowing Tech to head into
half-time with a 3-0 lead over the Tars. Junior midfielder Danielle Emhoff (Canton, Conn.) grabbed the assist on Hildreth’s second goal.

The Panthers came back onto the field a little too laid backed after the tremendous effort given in the first half. Rollins capitalized and notched their
first goal only 45 seconds into the second half. Sophomore midfielder Cristina Saenz (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) flicked a nice pass from fellow junior
midfielder Jacquelyn Parson (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) and proceeded to smack a high shot from 15 yards into the right corner for the Tars’ lone goal.

Huarte once again answered back at the 50th minute dribbling past two defenders and grabbed her own deflected shot for the final goal of the game.

Defensively, junior Jennifer Dunn (Vero Beach, Fla.) helped prevent the Tars from scoring earlier in the first half when she cleared a ball sophomore
keeper Erica Wales (Huntsville, Ala.) was unable to hold onto after a hard shot by the Tars’ Parson.

Wales went all 90 minutes with five saves and picked up her fifth win on the season. Nicoloso suffered the loss allowing four goals and tallying three
saves.

Tech is back in action on Saturday hosting Eckerd in their final regular season SSC match at 3:00 p.m. on the Stottler Field. The Panthers will honor their
three seniors while they entertain the women’s soccer family and friends for the 2005 Parent’s Weekend.