The FGCU women's soccer team (11-4-1, 6-1-1 A-SUN) claimed the ninth regular season title in program history with a hard-fought, 3-2 win over Stetson (2-13-2, 0-7-1 A-SUN) Sunday afternoon at the Athletic Training Center.
"It's awesome to be back on top and win the league," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "It was our goal from the beginning of the season to try and get back to this position so I'm pleased that we were able to do that. Obviously, today was a tough result to get because we got down a goal early and had to fight back. Stetson played hard today and it was a good test for our program and our players showed a lot of grit and strong character. Overall, three points on the road is always good and I'm happy with the work our team put in to secure this victory."
The Hatters struck first, as Lily Truong tallied her first goal of the season with a diving header that put the home team up 1-0 in the 15th minute of the match. Redshirt-junior Megan Young responded with an on-frame test, marking her third shot of the day, but was denied by the Stetson keeper.
After a slow start for FGCU's offense, senior Evdokia Popadinova put the team on the board with a shot in the 26th minute that tied things up at 1-1. Classmate Marjorie Boilesen was credited with the assist on the play.
Less than two minutes later, Popadinova handed the Eagles the lead with her second goal of the match after converting a corner kick from sophomore Kara Kyramarios. The senior knocked in a header in the 28th minute to put the Green and Blue up 2-1. The goal was Popadinova's 10th of the season, marking the second-consecutive year that she has achieved a double-digit total.
Sophomore Ashlee Brentlinger had an opportunity to extend FGCU's lead just before the half, but her header was stopped by Stetson's RaeAnna Casler. The team took its 2-1 advantage into the break, as well as an 8-3 edge in shots.
With 25 minutes left in the match, Stetson rookie Maggie Struble tallied the equalizer to cap off an unassisted drive into the box. The goal was her seventh of the season and tied things up at 2-2.
After a few unsuccessful scoring attempts by the Eagles, sophomore Alyssa Abbondandolo netted her first goal of the season in the 76th minute to break the tie. With less than 15 minutes on the clock, Abbondandolo's game-winner, which was assisted by Boilesen, put the Green and Blue up 3-2 and the team held on for the win.
Whether the Eagles stand alone as regular season champions, which would mark the ninth time in 10 seasons the team has achieved such a feat, will depend on the result of Sunday's 8 p.m. match between Lipscomb (11-5-1, 5-1-1 A-SUN) and host North Alabama (6-10-0, 2-5-0 A-SUN).
Though the official bracket will be released after tonight's match, FGCU is expected to be the No. 1 seed due to current tiebreaker rules, which include head-to-head results and RPI rankings (FGCU 66, Lipscomb 138).
Up Next:
Assuming FGCU earns the top seed, the Green and Blue will take on the winner of the quarterfinal match between No. 4 Kennesaw State and No. 5 UNF (Friday, Nov. 1) in the conference semifinal at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The championship game will be played on Saturday, Nov. 9 and will be hosted by the highest remaining seed.
A-SUN Standings (before 8 p.m. match between Lipscomb/North Alabama)
1. FGCU * (19 points, 11-4-1, 6-1-1 A-SUN)
2. Liberty * (18 points, 10-6-2, 6-2-0 A-SUN)
3. Lipscomb * (16 points, 11-5-1, 5-1-1 A-SUN)
4. Kennesaw State * (15 points, 10-7-0, 5-3-0 A-SUN)
5. UNF * (13 points, 10-5-2, 4-2-1 A-SUN)
6. NJIT * (10 points, 6-7-3, 3-4-1 A-SUN)
7. North Alabama (6 points, 6-10-0, 2-5-0 A-SUN)
T-8. Stetson (1 point, 2-13-2, 0-7-1 A-SUN)
T-8. Jacksonville (1 point, 0-12-3, 0-6-1 A-SUN)
* - Denotes clinched spot in A-SUNChampionship
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