GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a span of just three days, the FGCU women's soccer program defeated two in-state, nationally-ranked programs in exhibition play. As part of preseason play, the Eagles defeated no. 17 UCF 2-1 on Thursday, Aug. 13 in Orlando and followed with a 1-0 victory over no. 8 Florida Saturday evening in Gainesville.
"This was a great start to the season for our team," said head coach Jim Blankenship of the strong weekend. "Thursday was a fantastic start and a great result for the team. Our first half was outstanding. Saturday was another fantastic result and I am really pleased with the way we played. Our ladies are playing with a lot of confidence and I was impressed that we were able to use 24 players. Our depth will help us through a difficult schedule."
The Eagles had 24 players take the field in both games and saw strong production from the starting lineup and off the bench. 2014 leading scorer and Preseason Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Tabby Tindell (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic High School) netted the team's first goal of the 2015 season, while transfer Meaghan Mulligan (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Tennessee) added to the final score at UCF. In Saturday's contest, junior Paige Law (Sanibel Island, Fla./Bishop Verot High School) entered off the bench to score the game's only goal.
UCF and UF have both received national praise to start the year, including in the NSCAA preseason rankings and held top-20 RPIs following the 2014 season. UCF stood at 17 in the RPI, while the Gators were among the top-10 at number 7. FGCU finished the season at number 33 in the NCAA's official RPI.
UCF
Tindell created excitement for the Eagles from the opening whistle of exhibition play, netting an unassisted goal in the second minute against UCF. She dribbled from midfield into the left side of the box where she connected at the far post to push the Eagles ahead early on.
The Green and Blue moved ahead with a 2-0 lead in the 18th minute when Shea Rhoney (Lithia, Fla./Newsome High School) struck a free kick that found Mulligan at the back post. Mulligan's first career goal came off a header from the left side.
UCF broke the shutout in the 72nd minute on a shot from 30-yards out, but the Eagle defense remained strong and maintained the advantage through the final whistle.
Preseason Atlantic Sun Goalkeeper of the Year Brittany Brown (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena High School) started in net for the Eagles and made two saves, while backup keepers Emily Dolan (Wilmington, Del./Charter School of Wilmington) and Elyse Hansen (Mequon, Wisc./Homestead High School) each saw over 20 minutes of action.
UF
The Eagles and Gators played three 30-minute periods of exhibition Saturday evening in Gainesville. Despite strong opportunities from both teams, the score remained at 0-0 through the first 60 minutes.
In the 72nd minute, Paulina Speckmaier (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep High School) laid a well-placed free kick to the far post, where Law broke the scoreless tie with a header that found the back of the net.
The lone goal was all the Eagles needed as they maintained the lead to earn their second strong victory of the weekend.
The team opens the season Friday, Aug. 21 with Ole Miss at the FGCU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
COACH JIM BLANKENSHIP
A veteran of over two decades in collegiate coaching, head coach Jim Blankenship, who was named the 2012 and 2013 A-Sun Coach of the Year as well, has built FGCU women's soccer into a yearly contender in the Atlantic Sun Conference and a rising program in the South Region in just eight seasons. Blankenship started the program in 2007 and has since guided the Eagles to eight double-digit win seasons, culminating with Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2011 and 2012 he also led the Eagles to back-to-back A-Sun tournament championships and became the first team in the history of the university to make it to the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles then won the 2014 A-Sun tournament and hosted the first NCAA Championship event on campus when it welcomed Auburn in front of a record crowd. Blankenship has guided FGCU to a 101-36-17 overall record over the first eight seasons of the program's existence, including a 54-9-9 mark in the A-Sun. Blankenship's impressive career record of 341-107-28 over 24 seasons has come while leading FGCU, University of Miami, Lynn University and St. Thomas University.
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.
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
