HIALEAH, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2024) - Florida National's new-look women's soccer team (0-2-0) finished its debut week with a 6-0 loss to the St. Thomas University Bobcats (2-0-0). The Bobcats were aggressive from start to finish and veteran forward Gabrielle Cimino earned five goals before the final whistle blew in Miami Gardens, Fla.
STU came into a rainy Thursday afternoon match-up fresh off a 1-0 win over Barry University on Aug. 24. The Bobcats are receiving votes once again in the latest edition of the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll, as FNU entered AutoNation field looking to shake off a 4-1 loss to Florida Memorial University on Monday.
Florida National had a promising start after a rain delay pushed a 2 p.m. kickoff to just past 3 p.m. Newcomer Gabriela Bortolon Brito collected the first shot of the half, which goalkeeper Isabella Penaranda promptly secured between her gloves. The opening period proved to be a competitive and tough 45-minute frame and three yellow cards were handed out before the break. STU used this pace of play to its advantage on the offensive end and in the 22nd minute Cimino laced the first Bobcat score to put her team ahead 1-0.
Mere seconds later, a cross kicked in the penalty area by Bryanna Alzate landed at the waiting feet of Megan Velazquez for the Bobcats' second goal of the afternoon. To its credit, FNU attempted long crossing kicks to its sprinting forwards that did not materialize into much-needed scores. STU ended the half with 11 shots to FNU's one and three corner kicks.
The second half was an offensive clinic by the Bobcats, as STU connected on four goals to claim its largest margin of victory over the Conquistadors since its 5-0 win in February 2021. Cimino was a major part of this historic contest, launching four scores into the net in a nine-minute span to leave FNU defenders reeling. With perfectly placed assists by Velazquez on all four goals, the Bobcats shut down any chance of a Florida National comeback.
Notably, STU improved its record versus the Conquistadors to 8-0 and now has 26 total goals scored against FNU.
Up Next: FNU faces another Sun Conference institution on Sept. 5 with a rematch versus Florida Memorial. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
