FGCU MSOC @ #13 Michigan Recap

 The FGCU men's soccer team (1-0-0) kicked off the 2019 campaign in upsetting-fashion taking down 13th-ranked Michigan (0-1-0) 4-3, highlighted by senior Ryan Medilah netting the program's sixth overall hat trick, scoring twice in the first half. The win becomes the first against a ranked opponent in the regular season since the Eagles defeated No. 8 UCF 2-1 in 2011.

"I'm proud of our ability to compete in a very difficult environment," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "To build a two-goal lead against a top NCAA caliber team twice says a lot about our fire power, but I still think we are capable of playing better. Our passing and movement was lacking and we can certainly improve our defending. We will look to do that against No. 7 Michigan State Monday afternoon."

For starting goalkeepers, Cormier sent redshirt junior Gustavo Vasconcelos to the box while Michigan head coach Chaka Daley sent senior Andrew Verdi to counter.

That fire power coach Cormier alluded to put the Eagles on the board early. In the sixth minute, Medilah headed a cross home from the right delivered by classmate Shak Adams for the 1-0 lead. Eight minutes later, the Parisian native bagged the brace, this time off a set-piece. Outside the right of the 15-yard box, Medilah rifled a low line drive that found the corner of the far post. Ahead 2-1, the home side cut the deficit down to one in the 31st minute and soon the match was tied 2-2 as the Wolverines struck again in the 43rd.

FGCU walked into the break with four shots on the board. Medilah collected his hat trick 12 minutes into the second half. It's the first since Adams netted one last season against USF in a 5-3 win. Maneuvering around the penalty area, he found a cross that bounced a few times only to head it into the back of the net near post. With a 3-2 lead, senior Ivan Rosales registered the eventual game-winning goal in the 80th minute, taking a pass from Medilah atop the box and curling it into the top right-corner.

Despite Michigan tallying a goal in the 89th minute, (1-0) was critical down the stretch, coming up with two diving stops inside the final 10 minutes. He would finish with six saves, all coming in the second half.

All said FGCU recorded seven shots, five on goal, as the Eagles final possession line read 40 percent.

Junior Max Edwards (Radford), sophomore Alex Guichard (Charleston: NCAA DII), and senior Ernest Mitchell (Marist) made their debuts for the Eagles after transferring.

Up Next:
The road gets tougher for the Eagles as they make their way to East Lansing for a matchup against the No. 7 Spartans Monday afternoon at 2 pm.