Box Score LAKELAND -- Polk State College Soccer brought the offensive momentum from the Georgia trip back to Lakeland for its home opener on Friday evening. Five different players found the back of the net, as the Eagles defeated Pasco-Hernando State College, 6-1.
The match was delayed 80 minutes from the original 4 p.m. start time due to inclement weather.
The Eagles dominated the shot count, totaling 37 attempts with 20 on frame compared to the Bobcats' eight shots with four on goal.
Polk State sophomore forward
Raisa Lugo broke the silence for the Eagles in the 10th minute, slotting a through ball from
Jillian Johnson far post for her third goal in three matches this season.
"I think all of us together are meshing well right now," shared Lugo. "It definitely was an advantage to be at home and it felt good to be here after starting off the year on the road."
The Eagles doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 22nd minute when freshman forward
Edjenie Joseph netted her first collegiate goal, volleying a pass from
Celine Ottah over the keeper's head that was sent directly from a Lugo corner kick.
Ottah, a freshman midfielder, also scored her third goal of the young season in the first half. The Aba, Nigeria native dribbled into the box and beat the keeper one-on-one to grow the Polk State advantage to 3-0 in the 37th minute. The Eagles then pulled ahead 4-0 in the 45th minute when freshman forward
Marcella Koasne headed in a corner kick from
Lohrane Boaventura.
The Bobcats netted their lone goal of the match with just two seconds remaining in the first half. Polk State still took a sizable 4-1 advantage into the locker room.
Polk State freshman forward
Lovelie Pierre scored her second goal on the year in the 66th minute. burying a ball top shelf on the first touch she received on a throw-in from about 35 yards out of the goal. A Pasco-Hernando own goal accounted for the Eagles' final tally of the match.
This marks the Eagles' third straight 3-0 start under Head Coach Jess Belli.
"I'm so proud of these girls and the start they have had to their season," said Belli. "They are seeing the fruits of their hard work from the preseason, and we are going to continue to see them raise the level throughout the season."
The Eagles hit the road for their lone contest next week, traveling to Hialeah to battle Florida National University on Friday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m.
