MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Soccer) – Four women’s soccer players said farewell to Rick Stottler Field on Wednesday, playing the final home game of their Florida Tech careers. Senior Christina Edwards had the finishing touch in front of the Panther faithful with a penalty kick goal in the 69th minute to knock off Nova Southeastern, 1-0, on Senior Day.

“I was very happy for the seniors today,” head coach Fidgi Haig said. “We were able to get them a win for their last home game. I was also very proud of the girls on responding after the loss to Barry on Saturday.”

The game’s only goal was set up when freshman Ashley Vezina was taken down inside the box by a Nova Southeastern (4-7-3) defender. The referee blew the whistle and awarded Florida Tech (7-5-3) a penalty kick after 68 minutes of scoreless play.

Edwards elected to take the kick for a chance at one last goal in front of the home crowd. The whistle blew, she kicked the ball and the net rippled. Edwards made good on the penalty kick for her first goal of the season--seventh of her career--to give FIT a 1-0 lead and the eventual victory.

The Panthers outshot the Sharks, 20-7, recording 10 shots in each session. Junior Carly Hunt led the team with five shots, while senior Chelsea Pushman registered four shots, all on goal. Hunt, who is a senior academically, was also playing in her final home game.

Joining Edwards, Pushman and Hunt in their final home games at Florida Tech was Kelly Whittaker. Whittaker finished the game with three shots, three on goal.

The group of four left their mark in Melbourne. With today’s victory they improved to 22-3-3 in their four years at Rick Stottler Field, and 43 overall victories. They are also the only four remaining players from 2010 NCAA South Regional Champion and NCAA Semifinalist team. Last season, they also led FIT to its first-ever No. 1 national ranking.

The Panthers will play their final regular season game Saturday, Oct. 27 against Lynn at Florida Atlantic University. The game is set for 1 p.m.

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