BOCA RATON, Fla. – Playing in a match that determined if its season continued or ended, Lynn University's women's soccer team rallied together to score twice in a two minute span to knock off rival Barry 2-1 and earn a bid to the Sunshine State Conference Championship. Jackie Hellett netted the game-winning goal in helping the Fighting Knights improve to 9-5-1 overall and 4-4 in the SSC while securing the No. 5 seed in the tournament.
The Blue & White didn't play with the passion that comes in such a deciding game, missing easy passes and surrendering two quick shots to the Buccaneers (6-8-0, 2-5-0 SSC). The tipping point came in the 15th minute when the LU defense played a poor ball across the top of the box which was stolen by BU's Melissa Madrid. Madrid took a touch to her right and ripped a shot to the right post to give Barry a 1-0 lead.
Although Lynn honored its seniors in the regular season finale, it was the underclassmen that picked up the Knights and helped lead them to victory. A mere 14 seconds into the second half, the Blue & White found the back of the net to knot the game at one. Freshman Kirstie Schults used her speed to win a ball on the back line and sent in a beautiful cross in front of the keeper, which sophomore Scout Stowe knocked in for her second goal of the season.
Momentum immediately swung in Lynn's favor and with confidence brimming, the Knights were able to go on top 2-1 at 47:21. Freshman Lauren Handley used perfect touch to loft a pass over the Buccaneer back line and Hellett, also a freshman, did the rest. She beat her defender and unleashed a rocket to the left of the goal keeper for the game-winner.
Lynn returns to the SSC Tournament after a one-year hiatus and has reached the annual SSC event seven times in the eight years it has been played.
The Fighting Knights will battle either Tampa or Florida Tech on the road in the opening round on Tuesday, November 1. Check back to www.LynnFightingKnights.com for opponents, location and game times of the SSC Tournament.
