FGCU MSOC vs UNF: A-SUN Semifinals Recap

The second-seeded FGCU men's soccer team (9-7-2) produced a 2-1 result over third-seeded UNF (6-8-2) Sunday afternoon at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

"Just remarkable character by the guys today. It was a difficult and physical game," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "It was on us to keep our identity and be clear on who we are to continue to play the way we do and eventually we got a break in the second half with a goal. I'm very proud of them today, it was not an easy task to do."

Ivan Rosales put FGCU on the board just five minutes into the match. The senior collected a pass from Shak Adams and then fired from 25 yards out to find the back of the net for his fifth goal of the year. With the assist, Adams is now the program's record holder with 16 career helpers to his name.

North Florida would find the equalizer in the 12th minute as both squads were all knotted up going into the break. At the intermission, FGCU held a 5-1 shot advantage over UNF.

In the opening 15 minutes of the second stanza, FGCU launched four shots as the offense cranked up. The persistent attack finally paid off in the 71st minute. Ryan Medilah played a ball from midfield over to O'Vonte Mullings, who was able to squeeze past a pair of defenders for the near-post finish. Minutes later UNF tried to level with a header in the box but Kareem Riley was right on top of the line for the clearing save.

Down the stretch, both clubs played with 10 men after each side was issued a red card in the final five minutes. Connor Gavigan (6-3) capped off his day with a save in the 89th minute to secure the 2-1 victory for FGCU. Rosales registered three shots with two on frame. The Eagles' defense yielded just six shots with three coming on target.

Up Next:
The win advances the Eagles to the A-SUN Championship match for the first time since 2016 against top-seeded NJIT (9-4-4). The match will take place in Newark, N.J. next Saturday with a time to be determined. The winner of the game will claim an automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Men's Soccer National Tournament.