FGCU WSOC vs Ball State Recap

The FGCU women's soccer team (3-3) finished the weekend on a good note as they shutout Ball State (5-2) 2-0.

"We knew that this was going to be a tough match," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "Ball State is very good, very organized and hard to crack. I'm pleased with our team and the result we earned. A win like this is fantastic and something I hope we can build on."

"Today was another game where we started slow and it put us behind early," said Ball State head coach Josh Rife. "In the second half, and even after the red card, I thought the girls responded well and finished strong. It was a long, tough trip with lots of positives to take away, but also some harsh lessons learned. Hopefully we are better because of it."

For starting goalkeepers, Blakenship sent senior Melissa Weck to the box while Rife sent grad student Tristin Stuteville to counter.

The Eagles began to rattle the Cardinals after senior Evidokia "Evi" Popadinova fired a shot three minutes into the first half, but to no avail. While continuing to get on the board first, the Eagles were also able to stop Ball State from trying to get a shot off in succcess.

31 minutes in, the Eagle would get on the board first as senior Marjorie "Ma" Boilesen scored a goal with assists from sophomore Kara Kyramarios and freshman Louise Lillback. This was Boilesen's third goal of the season and her 19th career goal at FGCU.

At the 39 minute mark, the Cardinals were able to get their first shot of the game as junior Nicky Potts kicked it our right before the end of the first half.

As the second half went underway, the Cardinals started to get a little too aggressive on defense as Stuteville attempted to stop redshirt junior Megan Young from scoring on a through ball, but an inadvertent and costly trip gave her a red card and ejected her from the game.Rife sent sophomore Alex DeRuvo to the box as a sub for Stuteville.

From there, Boilesen would be issued a penalty shot and was able to hit the goal in the mid-left corner for her second goal of the game, fourth goal of the season and 20th career goal with the Eagles before the game ended. The Brazilian is three goals away from passing Paulina Speckmaier (22, 2013-16) for fifth all-time.

Weck (3-3) would finish with three saves in her third shutout of the season 30.4th shutout in her career. She needs just one more to overtake Stephanie Powers (2008-11) for second place in the Eagle record book.

Stuteville (5-2) would finish with three saves and allow one goal in 48 minutes before the red card.  Stuteville will serve a one game suspension per the rules of the NCAA (Rule 12.8).

DeRuvo gave up the second goal in 41 minutes.

Up Next:
The Eagles remain at home as they welcome Creighton (5-1) Friday night, September 20 at 7 pm. The match will be dubbed as a whiteout and Stars and Stripes Night.