Last Time Out:
The Eagles wrapped up their non-conference portion of the season with an 8-0 win against NAIA Webber International Monday night. In fact, it was the same score that occurred from last season. FGCU outshot the Warriors 38-2 on the night, putting the ball in the back of the net eight times in the match.
The Power of Hawes:
Redshirt freshman Morgan Hawes shocked the A-SUN by storm against Webber International. After redshirting the entire 2017 season, Hawes made her on-field debut in the home opening match against Georgia Southern where she played for 10 minutes. It was the only match she played in until she faced Webber. The Coconut Creek native took it to the limit against Webber and fired two goals with an assist in 52 minutes of play.
The Evi Show:
Junior Evdokia "Evi" Popadinova has been leading the charge offensively, not just as a member of the A-SUN Legion of Doom, but in the A-SUN in general. The Bulgarian leads not just the team, but the A-SUN in goals (13). In fact, Popadinova's 13 goals are the 5th most in a single season as she passed fellow junior and A-SUN LOD member Marjorie "Ma" Boilesen (2017), Shannen Wacker (2012) and Linda Haw (2007) for fifth most goals in a single season. Popadinova is two away from passing FGCU's all-time leader Tabby Tindell's season record (14, 2016 season) for fourth most goals in a single season.
Farewell Seniors:
Three Eagle seniors will play their final games at the FGCU Soccer Complex Saturday as Holly Fritz, Camille Knudstrup, and Shay Jackson will be sent off in style.
In two seasons with the Eagles, Fritz has scored 11 goals and dished out 15 assists, good for 37 career points.
A four year starter for FGCU, Knudstrup has played over 6,000 minutes for the Eagles, helping anchor an impenetrable backline while also chipping in five goals and 13 assists on the offensive side.
Jackson has played in 41 career games for the Eagles, notching five goals and five assists in her four year career.
The ceremony of the three seniors will take place prior to the start of the game
Wild Wild A-SUN:
The A-SUN playoff picture couldn't be much cloudier as we head into the final weekend of action. Four teams, including FGCU have clinched their spot in the quarterfinal round, but none of the four have even come close to securing their spot in the seeding for the tournament.
That probably will not change until the last A-SUN game of the year when Lipscomb visits Kennesaw State Sunday night in the Peach State.
The Eagles could finish as high as second with a win over Stetson, or as low as sixth if they are unable to secure the three points Saturday.
Scouting Stetson:
It has been a disappointing 2018 for the Hatters who were picked fourth in the preseason coaches' poll, but have been eliminated from the postseason picture going into the final weekend of play. The lone A-SUN victory for Stetson thus far came in a dominating 4-2 performance against NJIT, coincidentally, the Highlanders only loss of the conference season.
Stetson saw their postseason chances dashed last Sunday when they dropped a 2-0 decision on the road at Liberty.
The Hatters gave up two goals in six minutes midway through the first half and could never recover.
The Hatters have struggled on the offensive end this season, netting just 13 total goals in 16 games. Making matters worse, they have been shutout in five of their past six games, with the lone epiphany coming in the four goal outburst against NJIT.
Lindsey Parent and Hailey Williams have combined for seven of the 13 goals on the year and have totaled 18 of the 37 total points that the Hatters have put up this season.
Saturday marks the 13th all-time meeting between the Eagles and the Hatters. FGCU holds a 10-1-1 advantage in the series history including a 6-0-0 mark in Fort Myers.
Last year the Hatters halted a 10 game winning streak for the Eagles in the series with a 0-0 draw in DeLand.
It was an exciting game with 28 shots and 16 shots on goal, but nobody could beat keepers Melissa Weck or Emily Plotz, who are both expected to be in net again Saturday for the two teams.
How to Keep Up:
Livestats will be provided for the game and will air livestream on Facebook Live.
Livestats link: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=229960
Livestream link: https://fgcuathletics.com/sports/2017/9/5/fgcu-athletics-facebook-live-broadcasts.aspx
Promotions:
The already announced theme for the game will be Senior Night with the following promotions listed:
- Whiteout: All fans are encouraged to wear white
- Senior Night: Seniors will be recognized pregame
- Poster Signing: Players will sign posters following the game
- Dirty Bird Pickup: Students can sign up to be Dirty Birds or pick up their gear
- Shirts for Shots: T-Shirts thrown out for every FGCU shot on goal
- Player Meet & Greet: Meet your Eagles after the game
- Rally Towels: Stomp Stetson rally towels will be given out before the game
- Spirit Cup: Greeks will compete in attendance and spirit for $100 towards their philanthropy
- Alumni Game: Women's Soccer alumni will be recognized at halftime
No comments:
Post a Comment