FGCU M. Soc vs Stetson Recap

The FGCU men's soccer team (6-3-1, 2-1 A-SUN) jumped into a three-way tie atop the A-SUN standings after taking down Stetson (4-6-1, 0-1-1 A-SUN) Saturday night at the FGCU Soccer complex, 3-1. With the win, the Eagles are now 7-4-1 overall against the Hatters.

"We started off a little flat emotionally," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "I give the guys credit, we found a way to get the points, found a way to score goals and create. I thought we had some opportunities throughout the game and we finished it. We're going to need guys to step up in big roles Tuesday night against Liberty and we expect to perform at home for the fans. They came out tonight for a great cause in the Pink Out and hopefully, they'll be coming out Tuesday and supporting us."

Cormier sent redshirt sophomore Gustavo Vasconcelos to the box while first year head coach Christian Neagu sent senior Braeden Luna to counter.

Not wasting any time, freshman O'Vonte Mullings scored the first goal of the night 11 minutes into the match. Playing off a long volley from the Eagle's backline from sophomore Kareem Riley, Adam's settled with a few touches inside the 15-yard box and crossed a shot to his right to find Mullings for the left-footed finish in the corner. It was Mullings fifth goal of the season.

Two minutes would go by as the Eagles struck again, this time by way of a penalty kick. After receiving a pass from junior Ivan Rosales, fellow junior Shak Adams made his way inside the 18-yard box where he would be clipped from behind. Taking the kick, Adams was first denied but the rebound came right back towards him as he would fire it past the keeper for the 2-0 margin. It was Adams' sixth goal of the season.

After the Hatters cut the deficit down to 2-1 in the 24th minute, after a goal from freshman Lewis Scattergood, FGCU made it a 3-1 contest with Adams' second goal of the night. Five minutes before halftime, junior Jason Van Achteren launched a pass from beyond midfield to Adams. The Cane Ridge HS product then beat between two Stetson defenders, cutting inside, where he would finish near post, giving the Eagles a 3-1 lead for his seventh goal of the season. At the half, FGCU led in shots 8-7, with three coming on goal.

In the second half, Vasconcelos and his back line anchored by seniors Preston Kilwien and Kamar Marriott and Riley locked in on defense to suffocate the Hatter's offense. The Eagles yielded just four shots all period and two corners as Vasconcelos (5-2-1) secured two saves with the last threat coming in the final minute. The Brazil native finished with four saves.

"This was a huge win after the loss to Lipscomb and bounced back against FIU," said senior Raheem Somersall. "Getting the three goals against Stetson was huge for us before we face Liberty on Tuesday.

"You never underestimate anyone, so showing respect and treating just like anyone like we did with Wake Forest. We're here to play to win," Somersall added.

Luna (2-4-1) would get the loss after giving up all three goals and finished with three saves.

In total, FGCU finished the night with 10 shots as six came on goal.

UP NEXT
FGCU will once again have a quick turnaround as the Eagles welcome A-SUN newcomer Liberty (5-4-1, 1-1-1 A-SUN) to the Nest this Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.