FGCU MSOC vs Charlotte Recap

 The FGCU men's soccer team (7-6-2, 3-0-1 A-SUN) closed out its non-conference slate with a 1-0 win over #17 Charlotte (8-2-4, 3-0-3 C-USA) Tuesday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

It's the first win over a ranked opponent at home since the Eagles defeated #24 Omaha 3-2 in 2017. Meanwhile, it's the highest-ranked opponent to go down at the Nest since 2010 when FGCU downed #5 Ohio State 1-0. 

"Last year we played the same team and they outshot us 26-1. They had 11 on goal and we had none," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "We wanted to make a much better account of who we are and how we play. They're a very good team, one of the best in the country and we needed to have a very special effort from multiple guys. It was a team effort and I'm excited to have that kind of form heading into the last few games. The end of October and November is when you really need to start coming in form so tonight's performance was encouraging."

It was a close first half battle between the Eagles and the 49ers as each team posted three shots in the first period. The shot and eventual game-winner though arrived in the 33rd minute off the foot of Miguel Perez, his first of the year. Inside the six-yard box, Perez fought for positioning settling a touch pass from Alex Guichard to tuck it away past the keeper's near post. It was Guichard's first helper of the season.

At the break, the Green and Blue held a 3-0 corner kick advantage. Each side recorded one save.

In the second stanza, the Eagles' backline clamped down and held Charlotte to just five shots with only one coming on frame. FGCU continued to press looking for the added cushion as the attack up front manufactured nine shots (four on frame). Ivan Rosales launched five shots, putting three on target as he registered a game-high six shots. Each of four shots on goal in the second period came off the right boot of the senior forward.

All said FGCU outshot the 17th-ranked 49ers 12-8 and edged them in corner kicks, 6-4. Starting keeper Connor Gavigan moves to 4-2-0 as he secured two saves (one in each half).

Up Next
FGCU will host NJIT (6-4-4, 3-1-0 A-SUN) this Saturday night on Senior Night. The pregame ceremony is slated to start 30 minutes prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff.