"I thought the guys' performance today was in many ways better than our game Friday against Michigan," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "We moved the ball well and gave them a lot to deal with and think about. It's unfortunate that we didn't get the win today but we certainly did enough to get all three points. I Give credit to Michigan State for never giving up when we had the advantage."
"I was really proud of our team's effort," said Michigan State head coach Damon Rensing. "I thought we did some very good things, created some chances. Florida Gulf Coast is a good team. They had some dangerous players and especially in the second half I thought we managed them, but I was really proud of the character of our guys. I mean to give the penalty with 2:40 left they could have kind of just wilted and went away, but they didn't. They showed character and heart and came right back and tied the game. I thought in the first overtime we really went for it. A lot of tired legs out there, but we're not a finished product but I do feel good where we are at and I like this groups character."
For starting goalkeepers, Cormier sent redshirt junior Gustavo Vasconcelos which Rensing sent redshirt sophomore Hunter Morse to counter.
It was a defensive battle for both squads early on as FGCU didn't record its first shot until the 17th minute mark, a right-footed liner from senior Jahan Rajaee that needed a diving save. Seven minutes later, classmate Ryan Medilah tested Morse but was denied as the last shot on frame in the first half was taken by sophomore Ethan Dudley in the 37th minute.
The first half saw the FGCU offense record six shots with one corner. Vasconcelos (1-0-1) saw four shots go by him, none of threat as the Eagles defense kept the Spartans in check yielding no shots on frame.
Senior Ivan Rosales received the starting nod in the second stanza and sparked the FGCU attack nearly connecting in the 51st minute. The senior launched a shot from 15 yards that went left of the near post. His next attempt would miss wide of the mark in the 68th, but the Houston native capitalized with two minutes left in regulation. Senior Shak Adams was fouled just inside the 15-yard box to draw the penalty kick as Rosales was called upon to take and it buried it in the top-left corner. It was Rosales' second goal of the season.
FGCU looked to be walking away with a win in its pocket but the Spartans drew a foul in the box after Vasconcelos leaped in the air, coming down on a player. Redshirt sophomore Alex Shterenberg converted the penalty kick with 57 seconds left to bring the match into overtime.
In extra time, FGCU mustered two shots, edging MSU in corners, 2-1 (7-3 overall). All said the offense put up 16 total shots with six coming on frame. The defense limited the seventh-ranked Spartans to four shots on goal in the 110 minutes.
Vasconcelos had three saves in his name while Morse (0-0-2) had five saves.
Freshman Tremain Simpson made his debut for FGCU. Simpson joined after graduating from Kingston College in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Up Next:
FGCU returns to the Nest for its first home-opener against Seton Hall (1-0) this Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 pm. The match is a 'Green Out' as the team will also hold a banner ceremony pregame celebrating its 2018 A-SUN regular season title.
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