FIRST COAST SPORTS MEDIA
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Jacksonville, Florida
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University of North Florida Men's Soccer Defeats the University of Central Arkansas to Win the 2024 Atlantic SUN Championship. The Ospreys earned their second ASUN Conference Championship after a 4-3 win on penalty kicks against Central Arkansas on their home field inside Hodges Stadium.
The scoring got started early with UNF getting on the board first in the 10th minute on a goal by Anton Khelil off an assist from Rentaro Miyakawa. The Central Arkasa Bears pulled even in the 14th minute on a goal by Devonte Richards. Richards then gave UCA a lead when he put a shot in the low left of the goal that got past goal tender Luciano Natoli in the 22nd minute. David Perez scored a goal in the 39th minute for North Florida that sent the teams into the half tied up.
In the 67th minute, Joaquin Acuna put the Ospreys ahead again with a goal to low center. Richards completed the hat-trick for the Bears with his equalizing goal in the 73rd minute. The score remained tied at the end of regulation and the ASUN Championship Final headed to overtime for the first time since 2012.
Neither team could produce a goal during the two ten-minute overtime periods, which led to the first final to be settled by penalty kicks since 2007. Richards netted his penalty kick for UCA, but Khelil answered for the Ospreys. Pietro Fontana and Tyler Prebenda both were successful to keep the teams tied at two.
The first penalty kick miss came from the Bears and then Rafa Rios put UNF ahead 3-2. Pharis Petrica made his attempt for Central Arkansas and was followed by a miss from Perez. UCA was unsuccessful on its fifth attempt and then Acuna connected on a shot to secure the title for UNF.
​Acuna was named the ASUN Tournament MVP to headline the Ospreys on the ASUN All-Tournament Team. Tyler Prebenda, along with Khelil and Perez, rounded out the postseason tournament honors for UNF in the championship game.
By winning the championship, North Florida is an automatic qualifier and will represent the ASUN in the 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. Their first round opponent will be announced during the selection show on Monday, Nov. 18.
North Florida's Joaquin Acuna with the final penalty kick to seal the win for the Ospreys.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Joaquin Acuna of UNF during the first half of Saturday's ASUN Championship match.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
UNF Ospreys' Rentaro Miyakawa ongratulating No. 22 Anton Khelil on his goal open the scoring in the 10th minute of the ASUN Championship.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Nick Kishchenko of the UNF Ospreys during second half action. on Saturday.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Luciano Natali, goal keeper for the UNF Ospreys..
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
USA Hawks vs Canada Ravens in the qualifying round final match. on Saturday
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Canada Ravens qualify for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Series, after defeating USA Hawks Women 40-8 in the Americas World Cup qualifying tournament at Hodges Field, North Florida University in Jacksonville. The Ravens will face Ireland, Fiji and Nigeria next year to decide the final place in the 2026 Women’s World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Second half action from the USA Hawks vs Canada Ravens qualifying round final match
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
UNF's Kamrin Oriol going up against UGA center Somto Cyril Tuesday night.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Jalen Smith, UNF guard, with a jumper against Bulldog's guard Silas Demary Jr.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Georgia Bulldogs Men's Basketball beats North Florida 90-77 in the Peach State Classic at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, GA, ending UNF's three game winning streak to open the season
UNF Ospreys (3-1) forward Liam Murphy poured in 22 points to lead all scorers, and four Ospreys scored in double figures, but UGA's (3-0) size and hot shooting (40% from beyond the arc) proved too much. Bulldog's Junior forward RJ Godfey (21 points, 11 rebounds) made a basket in the paint to open the scoring and Georgia never trailed.
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Murphy scored 16 consecutive North Florida points before Nate Lliteras hit a 3-pointer that pulled the Ospreys with 66-57 with 9:46
UNF's Liam Murphy late in the second half of the game against UGA on Tuesday.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
to play, but Leffew answered with a 3 on the other end and Georgia led by double figures the rest of the way. Murphy led North Florida with 22 points, including five 3-pointers, and Lliteras finished with 15 points. Kamrin Orion made four 3s and scored 14 and Josh Harris had 12 points.
For the Bulldogs, Silas Demary Jr. added 17 points, while
Tyrin Lawrence scored 15, and freshman Asa Newell had 13 points and eight rebounds. Blue Cain added 11 points for UGA and Dakota Leffew scored 10.
Walter Clayton, Jr. of UF, who led all scorers with 29 points on 10 of 15 attempts and 2-5 from beyond the arc.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
University of Florida Men's Basketball Takes Down University of South Florida in the Inaugural Edition of the Jacksonville Sports Foundation Invitational.
The No. 21 Florida Gator men’s basketball team picked up right where it left off last season in Monday’s season opener against USF in Jackonsville.
After averaging 89.8 points per game last season, the Gators handed the Bulls 98 points in the Jacksonville Sports Foundation Invitational at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
South Florida went into halftime with the lea, but a combined 54 points from Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard led to a 98-83 Gators win.
UF forward Alex Condo. He finished the game with 13 points on 5-6 shooting.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Walter Clayton, Jr. (left) and Will Richard. of the University of Florida. Richard was the second high scorer with 25 points on 10-17 shooting.
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
USF came out strong in the first half, taking advantage of poor shooting by the Gators. Florida missed its first five 3-point shots and trailed 17-16 at the 10-minute mark.
USF continued a 16-2 run and established a 28-18 lead to force Gators coach Todd Golden to call his first timeout of the game. The Bulls took their biggest lead with 6:13 left in the half at 36-23, as the Gators still struggled by only making 1 of 12 3-point attempts. However, Florida found its stride toward the end of the half. Richard exploded for eight straight points to cut the Bulls’ lead to 36-33 and banked home a jumper at the first-half buzzer. Florida went into the locker room down 40-39 with momentum behind Richard’s 12 first-half points.
Rocco Mediate on his way to victory at the Furyk and Friends PGA Tour Championship tournament
Bob Estes on the second playoff hole
Rocco Mediate comes out on top with a par save on the second playoff hole of the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS PGA Tour Champions tournament
Mediate and Bob Estes both stood at 12 under par at the end of the final round on Sunday. The players returned to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole and came away with pars. Mediate made a 10-foot putt after Estes came up with a clutch 15-footer. On the second playoff hole Estes found a fairway bunker and then hit his third within 15 feet of the hole. He missed the par putt, giving Mediate, whose second shot came to rest at the front of the green, his opening. Mediate stroked a 40-foot lag putt that came to rest 3 feet from the hole. He closed out the win, draining the 3-footer for his first trip to the winners circle since 2019. He and Estes, along with money-leader Ernie Els, will compete in the upcoming Charles Schwab Cup playoffs starting next month in Phoenix.
Fred Couples during the second round of the Furyk and Friends Tournament
Ernie Els, leader in the Charles Schwab Cup money standings going into the upcoming playoffs
Photo Credits: Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
West Ham United falls to Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 in a pre-season friendly match yesterday in the opening round of the Inaugural edition of The Stateside Cup
Despite Mohammed Kudus opening the scoring for the Hammers, Wolves rallied back with goals from Hwang Hee-Chan, Pedro Neto, and Hugo Bueno to secure the victory. The match, played at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, provided both teams with valuable preparation for the upcoming season. The score was tied 1-1 at halftime, with each team making extensive substitutions in the second half
Michael Hornstein, First Coast Sports Media
Credit: Sheri Johnson
Credit: Roberto Johnson
The Jacksonville Armada hosted the Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference championship match Saturday night, falling to Columbus United FC by a score of 3-1.
The Armada took an early 1-0 lead in the match, which took place at Glover Community Field on the campus of Edward Waters University. Columbus United struck back, however, scoring a goal with time running out in the half. The United went on to score two unanswered goals in the second half to come away with the win. The Armada plan to break ground on a new soccer stadium this summer off A. Phillip Randolph Blvd between Grant and Albert Streets. It will be the new home of the Jax Armada FC.
Credit: Sheri Johnson
Jacksonville Axemen Rugby Team dominated the Tampa Mayhem, 40-18, at North Florida University in Jacksonville
The match featured exciting action in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The Axemen are back at UNF next Saturday when they take on the undefeated South Florida Copperheads.
Sioux Falls Storm quarterback Lore Brown Jr., during first half action on Saturday
Jacksonville Sharks Fall to the Sious Falls Storm, 52-42, on Saturday at Vystar Veteran's Arena in Jacksonville
The high-scoring Indoor Football League contest saw the Sharks open the scoring in the first period with a touchdown pass from QB Fred Payton Jr to Tamorrio Terry. The Storm proved too potent on offense though as the Sharks were unable to contain Storm QB Lore Brown Jr, who threw for 171 yards and 6 touchdowns, completing 13 of 26 attempts.
Jacksonville Sharks celebrating a first quarter touchdown on Saturday at Vystar Arena in Jacksonville
Griffin Conine of the Jax Jumbo Shrimp homering in the second inning. Opposite: Troy Johnson at the plate in the first inning.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp bested by Nashville Sound in ten innings on Wednesday, 5-3 at 121 Financial Ballpark
Eight different Jumbo Shrimp hitters reached base. Locked in a 2-2 tie, Nashville put runners on first and second in the tenth. With two on and nobody out, Tyler Black crushed a go-ahead three-run home run off Jacksonville reliever Huascar Brazobán pushing the score to 5-2.
Men's 4x100 relay
The University of North Florida hosted the East Coast Relays Track and Field Invitational on Friday and Saturday, featuring elite athletes from all over the world, including China, France and the Czech Republic
The Jacksonville Dolphins had several athletes achieve personal bests while the host University of North Florida saw Rey Hernandez achieve a first
Josh Parks, University of North Carolina Wilmington, competing in the triple jump
place heat finish in the men's 110-meter in a new program record of 14.57 in the race. Also for UNF, Ella Chandler secured a top heat finish and a second-place finish overall in the women's 800m. In the men's 100 meters, Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse edged reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs for the win on Saturday.
Women's 100 meter hurdles
Jacksonville 95ers Osay Osifo
Billie Jean King Cup: Romania completes comeback as Bogdan and Cristian lead incredible reversal against Ukraine
Romania came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Ukraine 3-2 and qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time. The match was played at the Omni Resort on Amelia Island
Teenage Phenom John Crimber Wins Career-First PBR Unleash The Beast Event in Jacksonville, Florida
Photo: Nino Rakichevich
College Sports and Events
University of North Florida v. High Point University, December 2, 2023
University of North Florida v. Jacksonville University, January 12, 2024
University of North Florida v. Elon University, January 28, 2024
University of North Florida v. Kennesaw State University, January 18, 2024
Jacksonville 95ers on Sunday with a convincing win over the Coastal Georgia Buccaneers in a matchup in The Basketball League
Osay Osifo led all Jax 95ers scorers with 27 points on 12 for 17 shooting. Dylan Cormier and Christian Terrell each threw in 24 points for the 95ers. Osifo also pulled down 11 rebounds, with 5 on the offensive glass. The Bucs' Jamichael King led all scorers with 28 points.
Jacksonville 95ers Christian Terrell
Ana Bogdan of Romania in her Saturday match against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the Billie Jean King Cup on Amelia Island. Bogdan won 6-4 4-6 6-4
The Players Championship Returns to Ponte Vedra
Scottie Sheffler becomes first golfer to win back-to-back titles at TPC Sawgrass; shoots lowest final round score in course history
Briana Chacon wins the Epson Tour's Inaugural Atlantic Beach Classic
The University of Oregon graduate wins her first event on the LPGA's qualifying tour
Briana Chacon putting on the Par 5 6th hole on her way to victory during Saturday's final round
The Florida Sports Scene
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The Northeast Florida region boasts a thriving sports scene, offering entertainment for fans of a wide variety of sports. Click here for the full article on the many different sports represented in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area.
North Florida Baseball Beats Dartmouth In Saturday Slugfest
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FGCU Clinches ASUN Tournament Berth with Convincing Victory over North Florida Men's Basketball
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UNF Men's Basketball Falls to Central Arkansas in Spring Homecoming Game
University of North Florida Men's Tennis Defeats South Carolina State, 5-2
UNF Men's Basketball Holds Off Lipscomb University
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University of North Florida Women's Tennis Team Prevails in Thrilling 4-3 Victory over Elon University
North Florida Men Defeat Queens University with an Impressive Offensive Display
Jacksonville Dolphins Come up Short in Nail Biter against Kennesaw State
UNF Ospreys Soar, Coach Driscoll and Team Make History in Victory over Kennesaw State
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine against Ana Bogdan of Romania on Saturday in the Billie Jean King Cup
Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins made a rehab start (shoulder) with their Triple A affiliate Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Easter Sunday.
Cabrera pitched three scoreless innings, but struggled with his control, walking 4 over three innings. He brought the heat though, with a 98 mph four seam fastball.
Edward Cabrera warming up for his rehab start on Sunday with the Jax Jumbo Shrimp
Jacksonville College
Baseball Classic
Inaugural Tournament
Virginia Cavaliers sweep the Jacksonville College Baseball Classic, with wins over Auburn, Iowa and Wichita State.
Inaugural Baseball Classic Heats Up the Diamond in Jacksonville
The 95ers win a thriller in overtime against the Coastal Georgia Buccaneers, 117-116, then ground the Rocket City Flight, 109-95
95ers Elias Harden scoring on a layup against Rocket City's Jason Landman
Jaguars News
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Catch up on the latest news, information and insights about Northern Florida's favorite professional football team. Our coverage brings the full impact of game day through powerful images and insightful analysis. Click here for the full story
Florida Sports Media Company Launches In Jacksonville
Attention, athletes and sports fans throughout Florida. Lace up your sneakers, grab your favorite jersey, and get ready to dive into the exciting world of sports with the launch of a brand-new media company covering a wide variety of sports throughout Florida.
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This dedicated platform will be your one-stop shop for all things sports in the region, covering everything from high school and college athletics to professional leagues and amateur tournaments. Whether you bleed Gator blue and orange, cheer for the Jaguars, or simply love watching the game, we've got you covered.
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Expect in-depth game reports, insightful analysis, player interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access. We'll delve into the world of football, basketball, hockey, baseball, ice hockey, and soccer, providing comprehensive coverage of all major events and competitions.
But we don't stop there. We'll also be highlighting local athletes, coaches, and teams making waves in the community, sharing their stories of passion, dedication, and triumph.
Whether you're a seasoned athlete, a die-hard fan, or just someone who enjoys a good sporting spectacle, our blog is designed to inform, entertain, and inspire. So, bookmark this page, subscribe to our updates, and join us as we celebrate the incredible talent and passion that defines sports in the State of Florida.
