Panthers Stun Tars with Three Goals in Final Five Minutes to Score 3-2 Victory

Panthers improve to 4-1-2

WINTER PARK, FLORIDA – The Florida Tech women’s soccer team stuns Rollins with a 3-2 victory with three goals in the final five minutes of play on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The Panthers improve to 4-1-2 (1-0-1 SSC) while the Tars are now 4-2-0 (0-1-0 SSC)

Florida Tech wasted no time applying early pressure. Within the first five minutes, Katie Ormerod and Ellinor Blaasternes each fired shots toward the Rollins net, showing the Panthers’ agression. But it was the Tars who struck first. In the ninth minute, Rollins capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting a precise shot into the top left corner to take a 1-0 lead.

The home side continued to press, dominating possession with a flurry of corner kicks between the 15′ and 18′ minutes. Their persistence paid off moments later when they netted a second goal in the 19′ minute, putting the Panthers in a 2-0 hole before the first half ended.

Florida Tech searched for a way back into the game, but attempts in the 19′ and 23′ minutes went astray. A surge of activity between the 31′ and 34′ minutes brought two shots and three corners for Tech, but the only attempt on goal was turned away by the Tars’ keeper. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ defense held strong, fending off two corners in the 36′ minute. Goalkeeper Kaitlin Sinkler came up big with two critical saves in the 37′ and 40′ minutes to keep her team within striking distance heading into halftime.

After the break, Florida Tech tried to claw their way back. Shots by Sara Batchadji in the 49′ and Ada Geier in the 54′ minute looked promising, but once again, the Rollins keeper denied them.

Time ticked away, and it seemed the Tars might coast to victory. But the 85′ minute sparked a wild turn of events. Rebecca Storr stepped up and launched a shot from just outside the box, beating the keeper and giving the Panthers their first goal of the match. The momentum swung instantly.

Just two minutes later, a Rollins foul near the box gave Florida Tech a golden opportunity. Batchadji took full advantage, curling a beautiful lofted shot over the goalkeeper to tie the game 2-2 in the 87′ minute.

The Tars barely had time to regroup before Storr struck again. With less than a minute elapsed from the equalizer, Storr surged forward from midfield and unleashed a rocket into the back of the net — her second goal in just three minutes — giving Florida Tech a stunning 3-2 lead in the 88′ minute.

The Panthers held firm in the final moments, sealing the comeback and snapping a 21-year drought since their last win after trailing by two goals — a 3-2 overtime thriller over Embry-Riddle back in 2004.

Beyond the Boxscore:

• Rebecca Storr’s pair of late goals were her first and second of the season, coming at the perfect time.

• Sara Batchadji’s equalizer marked her second goal of the year.

• Kaitlin Sinkler tallied six saves, her second-highest total in a match this season.

• Florida Tech outshot Rollins 17-15 in a hard-fought battle.

Up Next: The Panthers look to carry their momentum into a high-stakes showdown as they wrap up their road trip against No. 19 Embry-Riddle on Saturday, Sept. 27. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.

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