MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University women's soccer team battled through a weather-interrupted road contest Wednesday afternoon, falling 9-0 to Florida Memorial University. The loss moved the Phoenixes to 0-3-0 on the season, while Florida Memorial improved to 1-2-0. The match included a lengthy weather delay after play was halted due to lightning in the 35th minute.
Florida Memorial applied pressure from the opening whistle, but Florida Poly goalkeeper Ariela Rose Grady was called upon repeatedly to keep the Phoenixes in the match. The Lions broke through in the fifth minute when Jasmine Sawyers scored the opening goal at the 4:53 mark. Florida Memorial added two more goals less than a minute apart midway through the first half, as Daniela Canizales scored off an Emily Campos assist at 15:06 before Javine McKnight made it 3-0 at 15:46.
Despite the early deficit, Florida Poly continued to battle defensively. Mia Castillo provided one of the Phoenixes top defensive moments in the 21st minute, making a defensive save on a shot from Lumturie Berushi. Grady followed with saves against Berushi and Rudo Marufu as Florida Memorial continued to generate scoring opportunities. The Lions eventually added goals from Alaira Handy at 29:30 and McKnight at 31:24 to extend the lead to 5-0.
The opening half was then cut short when lightning forced the match to be stopped in the 35th minute. After an extended delay, the teams returned to the field and began the second half, with the match officially resuming at 3:26 p.m. Florida Memorial quickly added to its advantage when Handy found the net at 48:03.
Florida Poly's defense and Grady continued to face pressure throughout the second period. Grady turned away attempts from Irene Lainez, Marufu and Alexia Medrano Martinez as the Phoenixes worked to withstand the Lions' attack. Florida Memorial added its seventh goal in the 72nd minute when Handy scored off a Melissa Zamudio assist before McKnight completed her hat trick at 77:27. Handy closed the scoring at 82:50 with her fourth goal of the afternoon.
Grady finished the match with 11 saves over 90 minutes, including six in the second half, while Castillo recorded Florida Poly's lone defensive save. The Phoenix defense faced 29 total Florida Memorial shots, 21 of which were placed on goal. Florida Poly was held without a shot or corner kick in the contest. The Phoenix committed just one foul and did not receive a card during the match.
