Women’s soccer ties in first Peach Belt showdown

By Gian Louis Thompson | gthompson@flagler.edu

The Flagler College women’s soccer team opened up their Peach Belt Conference match with a tie against the University of Montavallo Falcons.

The Flagler Saints(3-1-1, 0-0-1 PBC) expected a battle from the Alabama-based Montavallo Falcons(1-2-1, 0-0-1 PBC) who arrived in St. Augustine under a light drizzle. Both teams are new to the Peach Belt and looked to open conference play with a win.

The first half saw even possession as both squads struggled with set pieces and missed attempts on goal. Flagler’s first quality chance on goal came in the 20th minute when Junior midfielder/forward Hannah Harvell delivered a cross off a set piece to senior striker Tiffany Urquhart. Urquhart connected and put a header into the hands of the Montavallo keeper.

Flagler opened up the second half with strong possession and aggressive offense. In the 62nd minute, a handball by Montavallo set up Flagler with a penalty kick. Urquhart lined up and pinned the ball in the net to give Flagler a 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take Montavallo long to respond. In the 73rd minute, freshman striker for the Falcons, Jade Skillen, posted a flat cross to freshman midfielder Nicola Stolworthy who put the ball past freshman Saints keeper Christie Reuther to equalize the match.

Regulation play ended but the rain persisted into the first overtime. Both squads played fiercely but failed to capitalize on opportunities.

Chants of, “Here we go Flagler,” erupted from the stands as both teams took the field once again into the second overtime. However, both teams failed to score in sudden death.

Flagler coach Teddy Meyer expressed disappointment after the game.

“We dominated the second half and had all these chances but we have to finish,” Meyer said. “It kind of feels like a loss.”

However, Meyer knew the first conference game would be tough.

“The girls battled and they were superb,” Meyer said. “It was the first conference game and I can’t ask anymore from them.”