SAINT LEO, Fla. (November 3, 2011) - Rollins
rode two-first half goals and its lockdown defense to a 2-0 win
over Florida Tech in the semifinals of the Sunshine State
Conference Tournament on Friday.
The 11th-ranked Tars (14-1-2) will meet Tampa in the
championship game on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Saint Leo. UT upset the
top-seeded Lions 3-1 in the first semifinal to advance.
Freshmen Azure Dorsey and Allie Holly scored goals for Rollins with Ashley Waplinger and Emma Jones recording assists.
Rollins defensive unit of Maddie Ginder, Anita Cox, Charlotte Murrell, Whitney Rohrer and goalkeeper Michelle Dillingham was the difference in the game.
They stifled FIT's potent offense and held them to just eight
shots. Dillingham racked up her 14th shutout of the
season, earning four saves.
Battling blustery conditions at New University Field, Rollins
established the tempo from the start, scoring the first goal in the
11th-minute. Jones intercepted a Panther's pass in the
midfield and found Holly on the left side. From about 30-yards out,
she put a strike on frame past Panther's keeper Mist
Eliasdottir.
The Panthers (11-4-1) nearly had the equalizer in the
30th minute as a Chelsea Pushman header off a corner
kick off the far post that was pounced on by Dillingham.
The Tars took a 2-0 lead in the 33rd minute as
Waplinger laid a pass to the left side to an open Dorsey.
Eliasdottir came out and attempted to intercept, but Dorsey beat
her to the ball, cut left and put a shot on the open net.
Rollins continued to control the game in the second half,
allowing FIT just three looks at the goal.
Rollins advances to the SSC Tournament final for the third time
in program history, winning the event in 2009.
Fans can follow Rollins and Tampa battle for the championship
live on the Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
