MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women's Soccer) – The Florida Tech women's soccer team (9-4, 4-4 SSC) found itself trailing early in its home finale against Sunshine State Conference foe Palm Beach Atlantic (4-5-1, 1-3-1 SSC) on Monday. However, with less than 15 minutes remaining in the contest, the Panthers mounted a furious comeback and tallied two late goals to defeat the visiting Sailfish 2-1 at Rick Stottler Field.
 
"After they got one on us early, we settled down and started to move the ball better and not panic," stated head coach Dustin Smith. "In the second half, we stayed the course. We kept pressuring and pushing, and even though it was like Saran Wrap on the goal, we were able to put two in late. It's a true example of the kind of fight and determination a team needs to win a game in this conference."
 
The Sailfish got onto the board early when Kianna Magner cleared her end and found Morgan Campbell streaking down the field on the breakaway. Campbell collected the ball just outside the box and chipped it past Karlyn Prisco for the opening goal just 10 minutes into the game.
 
Keira McCarthy had several opportunities to equalize the game in the first half, including one in the 25th minute that beat Isa Granlund but bounced off the post and was cleared out by the Sailfish defense.
 
In the first half, FIT outshot PBA 14-3, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. The Panthers had several opportunities right on the doorstep in the period but were unable to get one past Granlund, who recorded seven saves in the first half. Prisco made two saves for the Crimson & Gray.
 
With less than 14 minutes left in regulation, Ciera Misner collected a loose ball inside the PBA box, took one dribble and fired it past Granlund to tie the game at one goal apiece.
 
As both teams searched for the deciding goal, Mary Watson was, again, able to provide some late magic for the Panthers. On an Elin Svensson corner, the ball bounced in front of the PBA net and over to Watson, who tapped it inside the right post to give FIT its first lead of the game.
 
The Sailfish had a chance to tie the game on a free kick by Magner with 5:33 remaining, but Prisco came up with the diving save to preserve the victory for the Panthers who improved to 6-1 at home.
 
Watson's late tally was her second game winning goal in as many outings, after helping the Panthers knock off Florida Southern 1-0 on Saturday.  
 
The Panthers dominated shots in the contest 31-7. Aubri Williamson fired off a game-high nine shots, including four on goal. McCarthy and Misner finished with six shots, and three on goal, apiece.
 
Prisco made four saves in the victory to improve her record to 9-4 on the season. Her counterpart, Granlund, had an impressive showing in the Sailfish goal, finishing with 11 saves as her record dipped to 3-3-1.
 
The women's soccer team will now conclude the regular season with three consecutive road matches. Next up for the Panthers is a trip to Tampa, Florida for their final conference showdown of the season against the Spartans on Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. ET. Links to live coverage can be accessed at FloridaTechSports.com.