FGCU WSOC vs Kennessaw Recap

The FGCU women's soccer team (8-3-1, 3-0-1 A-SUN) collected its sixth shutout of the season as the Eagles handed Kennesaw State (7-7-0, 2-3-0 A-SUN) a 2-0 loss Thursday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex. The Eagles are tied for second in the league standings with UNF. The Liberty Flames, who have played one more conference match than the Green and Blue, remain at the top of the A-SUN.

"This felt like a playoff game, it had that level of energy," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "This is a huge result for us. We tip our hats to them because we knew this would be a tough game for us and they beat us last year. I'm really proud of how the players came out, responded to pressure and competed the whole game."

"It was a tough battle tonight, and I'm proud of our team's effort," said Kennesaw head coach Benji Walton. "We will look to rebound for a tough game on Sunday."

For starting goalkeepers, Blakenship sent senior Melissa Weck to the posts while Walton sent redshirt junior Tiffany Sornpao to counter.

Senior Evdokia Popadinova tallied a shot on-frame in the first 30 seconds of the match, providing evidence of the high level of intensity that the Eagles brought against the Owls right out of the gate.  FGCU forced Kennesaw State to make three saves before the visiting team challenged Weck in the 23rd minute, marking the Green and Blue keeper's first save of the night.

Freshman Louise Lillback found the back of the net for the sixth time this season with about 15 minutes left in the first half to cap off an unassisted drive. The shot marked the third time that the rookie has scored in the team's last four matches. FGCU took the 1-0 edge into the break, as well as a 13-5 advantage in shots.

The Owls stepped up their intensity in the second stanza and forced Weck to make a highlight-reel stop in the 59th minute to prevent the equalizer. That shot was one of two that Kennesaw State tallied in the entire second half of play, as the Eagles' back line continued to flex the dominance it has recently shown.

Senior Silvana Gordon put the game away for FGCU, driving in a cross from Lillback with less than four minutes left in the match. The goal was Gordon's first of the season and the fourth of her career. From there, the Eagles held on for the win.

Weck (8-3-1) collected her fifth shutout of the season and was only required to make three saves. She is now just 4.7 shutouts away from the FGCU career record with five matches left in the regular season. Lillback now leads the team with 16 points, which she has tallied from six goals and four assists.

Sornpao (6-6) would earn the loss after giving up both goals

Up Next
FGCU will host conference foe NJIT (5-3-3, 2-0-1 A-SUN) in a 1 p.m. match on Sunday, Oct. 13 at the FGCU Soccer Complex. Prior to kick-off, head coach Jim Blankenship and his staff will honor the eight members of the graduating class: Marjorie Boilesen, Opal Curless, Silvana Gordon, Emilie Olsen, Lindsey Patton, Evdokia Popadinova, Petra Smetkova and Melissa Weck. Fans are invited to participate in a white out and to join the team for the senior ceremony, which will begin at 12:35 p.m..

A-SUN Standings
1. Liberty (8-5-2, 4-1-0 A-SUN)
T-2. UNF (9-3-2, 3-0-1 A-SUN)
T-2. FGCU (8-3-1, 3-0-1 A-SUN)
T-4. Lipscomb (8-5-1, 2-1-1 A-SUN)
T-4. NJIT (5-3-3, 2-0-1 A-SUN)
6. Kennesaw State (7-7-0, 2-3-0 A-SUN)
T-7. Stetson (2-9-2, 0-3-1 A-SUN)
T-7. Jacksonville (0-10-3, 0-4-1 A-SUN)
9. North Alabama (4-9-0, 0-4-0 A-SUN)