FGCU MSOC @ Stetson Recap

The FGCU men's soccer team (8-7-2, 4-1-1 A-SUN) defeated Stetson (7-9-2, 3-2-1 A-SUN) on the road Saturday night to secure the No. 2 seed in next week's A-SUN Tournament.

In the process, they will host a quarterfinals match next Friday and play the winner Sunday afternoon in a time to be determined.

"Tonight was a tremendous win for the program. We needed a really good performance to beat a quality opponent like Stetson," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "Our guys trained really hard and well this week, and I think it showed in our ability to compete and have sustained quality for a full ninety minutes tonight. The strong character of the team and excellent leadership shined throughout. We saw great pride in the team and program."

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead within the first 26 minutes of play as senior Ivan Rosales netted the first goal in the 20th minute. Shak Adams played the Houston native a ball atop the 18-yard box as he took a right-footed strike after a few dribbles for the score. With the assist, Adams has now tied the all-time FGCU record with 15 helpers. Six minutes later, sophomore O'Vonte Mullings made it 2-0 on an unassisted goal. The Ontario native was able to intercept a goal kick past midfield and then dribbled with pace all the way past the 18-yard box where he struck it past the keeper to the far post.

Stetson cut FGCU's lead down to one after scoring in the 35th minute. At the break, the Eagles and the Hatters were tied with eight shots apiece as FGCU fired five on frame.

In the opening stages of the second half, the Green and Blue capitalized on a foul by Stetson. In the 55th minute, Kareem Riley launched a shot just beyond the end of the midfield circle into the box. Adams was in position for the play and headed it into the back of the net to give the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.

Following Adams' goal, the Eagles defense didn't yield a Hatter shot until the 73rd minute. Adams' collected his brace in the 82nd minute to add the goal cushion for the Eagles. Inside the penalty box, Ryan Medilah's shot was deflected as Adams' was there for the rebound and tally. Stetson made it interesting with a score five minutes later but the Eagles staved off the Hatters' comeback attempt en route to the 4-2 win.

All said FGCU outshot Stetson 21-14 with 12 of those shots coming on frame. Medilah led the squad with five shots as Rosales fired a team-high three on frame. Connor Gavigan secured five saves as the Colorado native moves to 5-3-0 this season.

Up Next:
FGCU returns to the pitch next Sunday, Nov. 10 against the winner of No. 3 UNF/No. 6 Liberty at 1 pm.

A-SUNStandings
1. NJIT (15 pts, 8-4-4, 5-1-0 A-SUN)*
2. FGCU (13 pts, 8-7-2, 4-1-1 A-SUN)*
3. UNF (10 pts, 5-6-2, 3-2-1 A-SUN)*
4. Stetson (10 pts, 7-9-2, 3-2-1 A-SUN)*
5. Lipscomb (9 pts, 5-8-2, 3-3-0 A-SUN)*
6. Liberty (3 pts, 5-12-0, 1-5-0 A-SUN)*
7. Jacksonville (1 pts, 5-7-2, 0-5-1 A-SUN)
* - Clinched a spot in A-SUN Championship