MIAMI SHORES, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2025) — Florida National women's soccer (0-2-0) put up a brilliant fight against the NCAA DII Barry University Buccaneers (2-1-0). Under the Friday Night Lights, the Conquistadors held their own before ultimately falling 3-0 in Miami Shores, Fla.
Entering the match, FNU had lost its season opener against the NAIA Warner University Royals 3-1 in Lake Wales, Fla., and sought to best Barry for the first time in the program's history. The Buccaneers have accumulated a 4-0 record versus the Conquistadors dating back to 2021 and added another victory in front of a home crowd.
In the first half, Barry's aggressiveness on offense proved to be formidable. The home team tallied 10 shots compared to just one from the Conquistadors. Their attention to detail on offense paid off 19 minutes into the period after Zoe Dick laced a textbook shot towards the bottom center of the goal for the game's first score. BU's Cat Cabrera was credited with an assist.
In the 35th minute, Ronya Halleen made it a 2-0 affair after burying a Cabrera corner kick in the bottom right corner of the goal. Barry's execution off corners was nearly impossible for Sarah Layrennys Lugo Castillo to slow down. FNU's Natalya Laura Paula had FNU's lone shot attempt of the period, and the Conquistadors exited the pitch at halftime with no corners but three impressive saves from Lugo.
In the second half, Barry continued its relentless pursuit at the net and finally got another goal on the board 24 minutes into the half. Josefina Dellepere orchestrated the third goal of the match after Jaspyr Rocha used her left foot to sail the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
To FNU's credit, FNU had back-to-back shot attempts from Latyfath Ubeda and sophomore Gabriela Bortolon in the 56th that didn't materialize into much-needed scores. Despite conceding another goal in the final 45, Lugo added five more saves to her tally, thwarting dangerous shot attempts from the Bucs' forwards. Barry used the clock well down the stretch and earned its second win of the 2025 season.
Up Next: Women's soccer takes a week break before hosting Ave Maria University on Sept 23 at 12:30 p.m.
