The FGCU men's soccer team (1-1) bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Charlotte to open the season by taking down the reigning 2017 Big South Champions Presbyterian College (0-2) by a score of 2-0, Sunday afternoon at Martin Stadium.
"Much better performance today against a conference champion and NCAA tournament team," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "I thought we did a much better job expressing ourselves, delivered quality chances and we were tight defensively. We look forward to preparing and hosting national powerhouse Wake Forest next Saturday. We're excited to come home!"
18 minutes into the first half, junior Shak Adams had an opportunity to score another by striking one from inside five-yard box which was denied as his second attempt veered right of the lower post on the rebound. The constant pressure from the Eagles paid off in the 27th with one of two assists on the day from sophomore Chris Clement's. The Spain native settled a pass on the right side near the out of bounds line and with a one-time strike, found a leaping freshman O'Vonte Mullings on the far post who headed it over the keeper's left shoulder for the score. It was FGCU's first score of the season.
Presbyterian nearly found the equalizer with just under five minutes left in the first half but Ryan Standridge's header bounced off the left post as FGCU held a 1-0 lead at the break.
The duo of Clement and Mullings added insurance developed in the middle of the field and quickly into the second half. After junior Jahan Rajaee placed a pass to his right, a sprinting Clement who with two touches, crossed it into a wide-open Mullings for the tap-in, giving the freshman the brace in the 53rd.
Redshirt sophomore Connor Gavigan collected his his first win of the season after he finished the match with three saves. It was Gavigan's sixth clean sheet with the Eagles as the staunch defense limited the Blue Hose to three shots over the remaining 20 minutes of play.
Up Next:
FGCU returns home this Saturday, Sept. 1 for its home-opener against #5 Wake Forest.
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