DELAND, Fla.- The University of West Georgia (4-12-1, 2-5-1 ASUN) delivered one of their most inspiring performances of the season on Sunday afternoon, storming back from an early deficit to defeat Stetson (5-13-0, 2-7-0) by a 2-1 score at the Stetson Athletic Training Center. The victory not only marked UWG's first comeback win of the year but also secured the program's first-ever season sweep in ASUN play and gave the Wolves a 2-1 lead in the all-time series against the Hatters.
The Hatters, playing on their Senior Day, came out aggressively, pressing high and earning multiple early opportunities to score. Stetson's pressure paid off just six minutes into the match, when Ava Kooker scored in the bottom corner of the net to give Stetson a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Stetson earned a penalty kick that could have doubled their advantage, but freshman goalkeeper Emily Sanabria came up with an impressive save, denying the attempt and shifting the momentum back toward the Wolves.
Sanabria's presence between the posts was pivotal throughout the first half. Facing a barrage of 13 shots before the break, the true freshman recorded five saves to keep her team within striking distance. Despite limited first half opportunities, UWG nearly scored late in the first half when Breanna DeWinter forced a save from Stetson's goalkeeper Riley Tarvin.
Down 1-0 at halftime, the Wolves responded to early adversity. Just three minutes into the second half, sophomore Campbell Taylor made her mark, scoring her first goal of the season to tie the match at 1-1 in the 48th minute of play.
With momentum in their favor, UWG continued to press forward. In the 54th minute, Chiara Lape finished from close range to put the Wolves ahead 2-1. The goal was Lape's first since September 11 against Alabama A&M, and her first game winning goal of the year.
From that point on, the Wolves absorbed intense Stetson attacks, as the Hatters took nine second half shots and six corner kicks in search of an equalizer. Sanabria stood tall once again, recording two more crucial saves to bring her total to seven for the match. With 99 saves on the year, she now sits just five shy of breaking into the top three for most saves in a single season in UWG history and the first freshman to reach 100 saves in a season since 2018.
The victory against Stetson doubled both UWG's overall and conference win totals from last year and completed a 2-0 season sweep over Stetson after a 3-1 win in Carrollton on September 25.
"This win is a testament to how much we've grown as a team throughout the season," said head coach Mallory Sayre. "Beating a team twice, coming from behind, and playing the second game of the weekend all demonstrates our fight and resilience. We battled together for this result!"
The Wolves will now turn their attention to closing out the 2025 regular season at home. West Georgia will return to Carrollton for consecutive matches at University Soccer Field, beginning Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. against Jacksonville, followed by their regular season finale on Saturday, October 25 at noon against North Florida.
With momentum building after their comeback victory, UWG will look to finish strong in front of their home crowd and continue their late season surge in ASUN play.
