Florida Southern defeated Tampa 2-1 Thursday, Nov. 5, at Berend Field in Lakeland, Florida, to reach the Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship Match for the first time in program history. Tim Baierlein scored the winning goal in the 69th minute after Florida Southern scored twice in the second half. Florida Southern also held a 13-8 advantage in shots.
Tampa took a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute on Leonard Bogeskar’s goal. Florida Southern answered in the 56th minute when Ollie Stephens scored after his initial shot was saved and deflected back to him. The goal pulled the match even and set up Baierlein’s decisive finish.
Hector Oliver started the winning sequence by stealing a pass and launching a counterattack. Oliver then assisted Baierlein, who finished in the upper corner to give Florida Southern a 2-1 lead. Florida Southern held on through the final whistle to end its 0-5 record in Sunshine State Conference semifinal matches.
Florida Southern controls the second half
Baierlein finished with three shots, while Stephens recorded two shots, both on frame. Darcy Moffat led Florida Southern with five shots, including three on goal. Oliver added the assist on Baierlein’s game-winning goal.
The victory improved Florida Southern to 12-3-3 overall and 5-2-3 in Sunshine State Conference play. Tampa fell to 6-7-4 overall and 4-4-2 in conference play. Florida Southern’s 12 victories matched the second-most wins in a season in program history and represented the program’s highest total since 2018.
First championship match appearance
Florida Southern advanced to its first Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship Match in program history. The result ended the program’s previous 0-5 mark in conference semifinal matches. The milestone came with Florida Southern reaching 12 wins for the season.
Florida Southern is scheduled to face fifth-seeded Lynn on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. at Berend Field. The game will determine the Sunshine State Conference champion. Florida Southern will enter the matchup with its first conference championship match appearance secured.
FSB Take
Florida Southern’s second-half response converted a 1-0 deficit into its first Sunshine State Conference Tournament Championship Match appearance. Stephens’ equalizer restored the opportunity, while Oliver’s takeaway created the transition that produced Baierlein’s winning goal. The result also gives Florida Southern a conference final at Berend Field after the program matched its second-most wins in a season with 12.
Source: Original report