UWF Women's Soccer team wins season opener 5-1

September 1, 2012

Transfer Shelby Bush scores twice in debut as Argos beat Belmont Abbey at North Georgia

Kelly Andres scored the first goal of the season for the Argos as UWF defeated Belmont Abbey 5-1 at North Georgia. (Photo by Jim Hogue)

Related Item: Box Score

DAHLONEGA, GA. – The West Florida women’s soccer team won it’s first game of the season against Belmont Abbey 5-1 at the North Georgia Soccer fields Saturday afternoon thanks in part to transfer Shelby Bush (Shalimar, Fla./Darton) who scored twice in her first game as an Argonaut.

The Argos (1-0) dominated the Crusaders en route to the victory in the first meeting between the two teams in school history.

“I’m very proud of the team,” said UWF coach Joe Bartlinski. “Belmont played hard and was a strong opponent. But, we need to keep working.”

Four new players, including Bush, started for the Argos as Bartlinski looked to continue a very successful tenure at UWF. The Argos have finished with a winning record for 17 consecutive seasons and have finished with a winning percentage of .750 or better in all 11 seasons under Bartlinski.

UWF scored early on a penalty kick by Kelly Andres (Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny HS) just 8:17 into the game. Andres shot the ball to the left side of the goal away from a diving Crusaders keeper to account for the Argos’ first goal of the season.

The Argos kept the ball on their opponent’s side of the field throughout most of the first half, outshooting the Crusaders 12-4, but were unable to take advantage of some early opportunities.

UWF added to their lead at the 54:53 mark when Chelsea Palmer (Plano, Texas/Tyler JC) took a shot in the box that rebounded off the crossbar and landed in front of Bush who took a shot that was blocked by the keeper. Bush’s blocked shot landed in front of her, and the Argo kicked the ball into the back of the net.

Belmont killed the momentum and cut the lead down to one just minutes later when the Crusaders’ Maghan Philip took a shot that rebounded off an Argo defender and landed in front of the Crusaders’ Kristin Foster who shot the ball just out of the diving arms of UWF’s keeper, Sarah Story (Hoover, Ala./Darton).

Story had an otherwise strong debut for UWF, recording six saves on the day.

After that, it was all Argos. Bush scored her second goal of the game unassisted at the 60:47 mark and, less than seven minutes later, fifth-year senior Tori Fish (Bellaire, Texas/Bellaire HS) scored to put UWF up 4-1 with 67:08 on the clock.

The Argos’ Julianne Gaubron had taken a long shot from outside the box that the keeper blocked but couldn’t keep control of, and Fish took advantage of the situation inside the box.

After almost 20 minutes and four missed shots, UWF’s Alisa Festagallo (Fort Pierce, Fla./Lincoln Park Academy) made one more shot count. After a long pass from midfield, Festagallo worked passed a defender in the box and shot the ball into the left corner of the net away from a diving keeper at the 85:41 mark.

UWF will have an off day Sunday before playing at North Georgia again on Monday against Mount Olive at 11 a.m. E.T.to conclude the road trip. UWF’s first home game will be Sept. 7 against No. 24 Rollins at 5 p.m.

For information on all UWF athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.

Soccer Game Summary (Final)
West Florida Women's Soccer
West Florida vs Belmont Abbey (Sep 1, 2012 at Dahlonega, GA)

West Florida (1-0) vs. Belmont Abbey (0-1)
Date: Sep 1, 2012 Attendance: 75
Weather: Partly cloudy, hot, humid

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
West Florida........ 1 4 - 5
Belmont Abbey....... 0 1 - 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 8:17 UWF Kelly Andres Penalty kick
2. 54:53 UWF Shelby Bush (Chelsea Palmer) - Off the crossbar from 14's goal
3. 56:15 BACW Kristin Foster (unassisted)
4. 60:47 UWF Shelby Bush (unassisted)
5. 67:08 UWF Tori Fish (unassisted)
6. 85:41 UWF Alisa Festagallo (unassisted)