Polk State College women’s soccer goalkeeper Sofia Zapata was named the FCSAA Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 29 after a career-high performance against No. 2 Daytona State College. Zapata made 10 saves and held Daytona State scoreless for more than 89 minutes in Polk State Soccer’s 1-1 draw on Sept. 23 in Lakeland. The freshman from Orlando leads the FCSAA with 33 saves this season.
Zapata stands out against Daytona State
Daytona State outshot Polk State 28-5, but Zapata’s work in goal helped keep the match level for most of the contest. Riley Whale scored Polk State’s goal, and the teams finished in a 1-1 draw. Zapata’s 10 saves marked a career high.
“Sofia came up huge for us, making one incredible save after another,” Head Coach Dee Shivraman said. “I’ve been coaching for a long time, and it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a goalkeeper.”
Randy Lee, Polk State’s director of athletics, said the performance demonstrated the level of competition Polk State can handle. “Sofia’s performance against that level of competition shows the caliber of student-athlete that we have here at Polk State,” Lee said. “Her effort against the reigning national champion shows that our programs can compete with anyone.”
Polk State College prepares for Eastern Florida State College
Polk State will return to action Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a road match at No. 12 Eastern Florida State College. The match is scheduled to close Polk State’s September schedule. Zapata enters the match as the FCSAA’s season leader in saves.
Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas also praised Zapata and her teammates for their effort against Daytona State. “The performance from Sofia and her teammates was incredible to watch,” Kamoutsas said. “I’m very proud of Sofia and our student-athletes for the grit and determination they showed against one of the best teams in the nation.”
FSB Take
Zapata’s recognition follows a performance in which Polk State Soccer stayed within one goal despite being outshot by a wide margin. Her career-high 10 saves and season-leading total of 33 give the freshman goalkeeper a clear statistical mark entering the road match at Eastern Florida State College.
Source: Original report