WINTER PARK, Fla. (September 5, 2024) - Rollins opened their season in impressive fashion, posting a clean sheet against the Tiffin Dragons, 2-0. The Tars, who have now won three straight season openers, stand at 1-0 on the year.
The offense was in attack mode early on, attempting two shots in the first three minutes. In the fifth minute,
Lexie Cooper lined up a corner kick, delivering a beautiful cross to the middle of the box. Her strike found the head of
Briyah Drayton, who popped the ball into the net for an early lead.
Rollins continued their pressure in the first half, firing off a total of ten shots. A couple of them were prime looks, but Tiffin keeper Malea Nelson was a brick wall, stopping everything else that came her way in the first 45 minutes of action.
Following the break, Rollins once again pushed the tempo. Six minutes into the second frame, the ball was sent towards the midfield line. A booming clear from defender Blair Pressley found it's way to the feet of freshman
Emma Griner, who calmly controlled the pass and chipped the ball over the Dragon goalie for her first career goal.
Both teams fought hard to the end, but the relentless Tars defense did not offer any true chance for Tiffin to come back.
Ella Henderson, making her first career collegiate start, was a standout in goal for Rollins. The Winter Garden native saw eight shots come her way, and stopped all four attempts that were on target.
Rollins will hit the field again on Saturday when they host the Nova Southeastern Sharks in a non-SSC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm from Cahall-Sandspur Field.
