Ospreys fly past Patriots late for 4-3 win

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The University of North Florida scored three goals in the final 15 minutes, including the match winner with 3:20 remaining, to rally for a 4-3 victory over Francis Marion University, Friday night (Sept. 10) in non-conference women’s college soccer action.

The hard-luck loss drops Francis Marion to 2-6-0.  The Patriots conclude their weekend trip to the Sunshine State on Sunday when they play at Jacksonville University in a 2 p.m. kickoff.

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The Ospreys (1-5) struck first in the 17th minute with a header from Thea Linkfield off a corner kick from Keara Murphy. North Florida led 1-0 for most of the remainder of the first half until Francis Marion found the net twice in three minutes to take a 2-1 lead to the locker room for halftime.

FMU forward Kelly Kady tied the score at the 39:54 mark when she took a pass from Kiley Williams and directed the ball into the left bottom side of the goal.  Only 2:10 later, freshman Yasmin Bunter took a feed from Williams and beat the UNF goalkeeper on a one-on-one situation.  It was Bunter’s team-leading third goal of the season.

Francis Marion extended the lead to 3-1 early in the second half (50th minute) when senior Adrienna Osorio-McKenna scored an unassisted goal on a breakaway against the goalkeeper.

An own goal by the Patriots in the 75th minute trimmed the FMU advantage to 3-2 and seemed to spark North Florida’s offense back to life.  Vladana Petricevic (83rd minute) and Lauren Hopfensperger (86th minute) added the tying and deciding goals, respectively.  Francis Marion was not able to attempt a shot at tying the match in the final three minutes.

North Florida outshot Francis Marion 19-5 and led in corner kicks 5-4.  FMU junior goalkeeper Casey Durham recorded nine saves.