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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Florida women’s soccer pulled out a hard-fought draw, 1-1, against FIU (0-1-1) in its home opener at the UNF Turf Field on Thursday.
North Florida is now 1-1-1 on the season after tonight’s contest. The match was initially slated for a 7 p.m. kick, but due to inclement weather in the area, the contest was moved to the UNF Turf Field.
Redshirt junior forward Isabella Pontieri got the scoring started early with a strike to the right corner of the net in the sixth minute to give the Ospreys an early 1-0 lead. The remainder of the first half was a battle between the teams, tacking on three shots and two shots on goal with graduate goalkeeper Sofia Miliancano securing a pair of saves.
Coming out of the half, FIU responded with a goal of their own off a penalty kick in the 50th minute to knot the game at 1-1. The Ospreys were unable to convert on a goal-scoring opportunity early in the second half with Pontieri firing a shot over the top of the frame in the 48th minute.
Sophomore forward Allison Souers posted a shot on goal in the 55th minute that was saved by the Panthers’ goalkeeper. Redshirt junior midfielder Paige McSwigan and senior midfielder Chloe Lynch each fired off shots that were off target. In the 83rd minute, Pontieri’s shot was saved by the opposing keeper.
UNF had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 89th minute, but an offside call against the Ospreys stopped their momentum. Miliancano was stout defensively securing a season-high four saves. Pontieri continued her aggressive play on the offensive end putting up six shots and three shots on goal.
North Florida will travel to face the Florida Gators at Donald R. Dizney Stadium with kick-off set for 7 p.m., in Gainesville, Fla.
