FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU women's soccer team (3-1-0) traveled to FIU (2-3-0) on Wednesday and rode another game-winning goal from Tabby Tindell to its third victory of the 2014 season by a score of 2-0, giving the program its best start since 2011 when the Green and Blue began 4-1. The Eagles now hold a 6-1-1 advantage in the all-time series against FIU and have won four-straight.

Tindell's goal was her fourth of the season and it was Paulina Speckmaier who added the extra insurance, her second score of the season, midway through the second half with Tindell adding an assist for the first time this year. Tindell has now provided the game-winning goal in each of the Eagles' three victories. Brittany Brown faced nine shots and needed to make just three saves in the game to pick up her first shutout of 2014.

"I'm super pleased with our performance tonight," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "It was a professional result especially on the road when you come in to a tough place to win and an even tougher place to get a shutout. We were really good defensively and hopefully we can build on that going forward."  

The Eagles controlled the game from the start and after several good challenges got the scoring started early thanks to Tindell's seventh minute tally. Shannen Wacker moved the ball down the right side and found Tindell near the box. From there, Tabby made a couple of moves to clear herself of her defenders and chipped the ball over the FIU goalkeeper's head into the opposite, upper-corner of the net, giving FGCU the 1-0 advantage.

FIU settled in late in the half but it was FGCU that applied the majority of the pressure in the opening frame, closing with a 6-2 advantage in shots. Neither goalkeeper would make a save as the only try on goal resulted in Tindell's early tally. The goal in the first half was the second that FGCU has scored in the opening frame this season.

In the 51st minute, Brown found herself one-on-one and away from the net when Paula Quintero fired a shot that Brown managed to step in front of for her first save of the evening, preserving the FGCU lead. In the 58th minute, Tindell carried the ball into the corner on the right side and served a cross into the box that landed at the feet of Speckmaier who took one touch and fired home her second goal of the season to push FGCU ahead 2-0.

From there the Eagles settled into a defensive mode and would not allow FIU near the goal the rest of the way. Speckmaier would generate the last scoring chance when she broke free late in the half and found herself alone with the Panther goalkeeper but let her shot soar high over the crossbar.

The six points in the game match a season high for FGCU. The Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Week Ashley Parks played the full 90 minutes and registered her first shot of the season. Speckmaier finished with four shots to lead the team followed by Shea Rhoney with two while Tindell added the only other shot in 79 minutes of action.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Murray State visits the FGCU Soccer Complex on Sunday (Sept. 7) to split five road games for FGCU. These two programs have met once before in 2007 and the Racers came away with a 3-2 victory. Murray State closed 2013 with a 6-10-1 mark and a 3-7 record in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Racers are 1-2 so far this season with a 2-3 loss to Arkansas State, a 2-1 defeat of Georgia State and a 1-5 loss at Dayton. Murray State will visit FIU on Sept. 5 before visiting FGCU.

FOLLOW ALONG
For constant, news, photos, videos and updates you can follow the women's soccer team on Twitter @FGCU_WSoccer, on Instagram @FGCU_WSoccer or on Facebook: Facebook.com/FGCUWSoccer. You can also find FGCU athletics on YouTube by visiting YouTube.com/FGCUEagles.

TICKETS
Single-game tickets for FGCU Women's Soccer are available at a cost of $6 for adults and $3 for groups of ten (10) or more. Season tickets are also available. For more ticket information and additional deals, visit FGCUathletics.com/tickets, call or visit the ticket office at 239-590-7145.