GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When the FGCU women's soccer team takes the field Friday in the First Round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament it will be against a familiar foe, the #9 and top-seeded Florida Gators. Making their fifth appearance in six years, the Eagles travel to Gainesville for the third time in postseason play, and are set to face the Gators at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children, students and senior citizens. For those who cannot attend, the match will be streamed on SEC Network , which can be found via ESPN3 and on the WatchESPN app. In addition, live stats can be found on FloridaGators.com.

ASUN CHAMPS
FGCU earned its spot in the 2016 NCAA Tournament with a pair of wins in the ASUN Conference Tournament last weekend following an undefeated regular season conference slate and a seventh-consecutive ASUN title. The top-seeded Eagles disposed of No. 4 Kennesaw State 2-1 behind goals from Emilie Olsen (Frekhaug, Norway/Tertnes VGS) and Tabby Tindell (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic HS). The Owls scored late in the contest but FGCU closed out the game to advance to its sixth championship final in as many seasons.

For the second-straight season, the Green and Blue were tasked with defeating the Lipscomb Lady Bisons, who boasted the conference's ASUN Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, and Defender of the Year. Ali Rogers (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS) scored twice in the match, propelling the Eagles to a 2-0 victory and a third-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.

Following the match, Paulina Speckmaier (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep/Florida), Ashley Parks (St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette HS), Tindell, and Rogers were named to the All-Tournament Team with Rogers earning Championship MVP accolades.

The tournament crown for the women's soccer program was the latest in what is now an astounding 55 regular season or tournament titles for FGCU during its Division I era (2007). The latest NCAA bid for the Green and Blue brought the department's total to 29 (team or individual) bids since FGCU became postseason eligible in 2011-12.  

NCAA HISTORY
FGCU earned its first NCAA Tournament win last season, a 2-1 triumph over its I-75 neighbors USF. The Eagles then ran into eventual national runners-up, #3 Duke, and fell 2-0. Duke later defeated Florida the two days later by a 2-1 result.

Overall, the Eagles are 1-4 in the NCAA Tournament. In its very first appearance in 2011, FGCU lost 3-0 to Florida and dropped a 2-0 contest the very next season to a similar Florida side.

FGCU dropped the 2013 ASUN Championship in penalties, the only blemish on an otherwise perfect (11-0-1) all-time record in ASUN Tournament play, but rebounded with a record-setting 2014 season. The Green and Blue played host to Auburn that year, suffering a 1-0 defeat at the FGCU Soccer Complex in the NCAA Tournament opener.

Then in 2015, FGCU earned its first win, using two penalty kick efforts to defeat USF 2-1.  

SCRIPTED ENDINGS
When Ali Rogers scored her second goal of the ASUN Championship Final, all but securing FGCU of its fifth tournament title, the redshirt-senior created a storybook finish to her career. When Rogers first pulled on an FGCU jersey in 2012, the midfielder wasted no time in showcasing her ability, scoring twice in a dominating 7-0 win over Lynn. Two days later against UCF, ranked #19 at the time, Rogers suffered an ACL tear that sidelined her for the remainder of the season.

The Naples-native bounced back, scoring five goals over the next three seasons while tallying four assists.

But Rogers began her final campaign in similar fashion, tallying goals against San Francisco and UC Davis as the Eagles opened the 2016 season out West. With their backs against the wall, trailing 1-0 on the road against Kennesaw State, Rogers leveled the match ultimately leading to Tindell scoring the winner later in the half.

And when the Green and Blue needed an additional goal scoring threat against Lipscomb, it was Rogers who stepped up in her final game at the FGCU Soccer Complex, scoring twice, just as she did in her very first game as an Eagle.  

SENIOR DOMINATION
Few programs have been able to perform at the level of FGCU since the Eagles embarked on their Division I journey in 2007. This season's senior class has continued that tradition, again placing FGCU among the elite of the college soccer world. Per CollegeSoccer360.com, only six programs were projected to win its respective conference's regular season title, went on to win the regular season crown and cap the year with a tournament championship. Along with FGCU, only Connecticut, Monmouth, Samford, South Alabama, and West Virginia managed to complete the difficult task.

Focusing solely on the senior class, the current crop of seniors (not including a redshirt season in 2012), Pete LaFleur of CollegeSoccer360.com compiled a list of the most successful 4-year programs, with FGCU breaking the top-20 with 58 wins. The class' .750 winning percentage is also among the top 20 nationally.

HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
Friday not only features two highly-touted programs, but two of the nation's best forwards. The meeting between Tabby Tindell and Florida's Savannah Jordan brings together the nation's top-two active leading goal scorers in Division I. Jordan and Tindell are positioned first and second in two different categories: goals and points. Jordan leads all of Division I with 80 career goals and 187 points. Tindell is second with 66 goals and 162 points. In addition, the duo tops a very select list of players with 30 goals and 20 assists. For her career, Jordan adds 27 assists to her 80 goals while Tindell has assisted on 30 goals in addition to her 66 goals.  

FGCU AGAINST POWER 5 IN 2016
FGCU's schedule featured three Power 5 programs in 2016: Ohio State, Alabama, and Miami. While the Eagles fell to both the #21 Buckeyes and Alabama (#89 RPI), both by 1-0 finals, the Eagles defeated Miami (#67 RPI) by the same 1-0 score line.

Despite the 1-2 record against the three schools, FGCU more than held its own. Across all three games, FGCU produced 38 shots (compared to 37), 16 on goal (allowed 20), and earned 11 corners (conceded 20). Furthermore, the Eagles defense held Ohio State, Alabama, and Miami scoreless for 278 minutes. The loss to Ohio State came with 107 minutes gone in the match, while Alabama scored in the 62nd minute of play.

No. 1 GATORS
Carrying a 15-4-1 record into the NCAA Tournament, a #9 NSCAA national ranking and the top seed in the region, the Florida Gators boast one of the nation's premier attacking units led by one of the best players in the country. Aforementioned Savannah Jordan has continued her stellar career with a 15-goal senior campaign while tacking on nine assists for the Gators. The forward has scored five game-winning goals this season and leads the nation in shots and shots on goal per game. Not to be overlooked, Meggie Dougherty Howa has six goals and 10 assists while Melanie Monteagudo has found the back of the net eight times in 2016. In total, 13 Gators have scored this season, resulting in 50 goals (No. 8 in the nation).

Defensively, Kaylan Marckese has logged every second in goal for Florida, posting a 1.06 goals against average. Marckese has allowed 22 goals in 20 matches, with eight clean sheets to her name.

Florida has outshot opponents 347-202 this season and has more than doubled its opponents on the scoreboard (50-22). Similar to FGCU, Florida has faced UCF and Alabama. The Gators defeated UCF 3-2 and handed Alabama a 6-0 loss. The Eagles dropped a close 1-0 affair to the Tide before letting a late lead slip away against the Knights, falling 4-3.

FGCU is very familiar with Florida, having faced the Gators officially four times (0-4 all-time) and one additional time in an exhibition. The Eagles have seen steady improvement over the years after a 5-0 defeat to UF in 2011. The Eagles later would fall 3-0 in their first NCAA Tournament appearance to that same Florida team. A return trip to the NCAA Tournament resulted in a 2-0 loss in 2012.  

FGCU defeated Florida 1-0 in an exhibition prior to the official start of the 2015 season.

POST SEASON AWARDS
For the third time in her career, Tabby Tindell earned Player of the Year accolades, tallying a league-best 13 goals, eight assists and 34 points. Tindell was also named to the ASUN's First Team, and was joined by Paulina Speckmaier, Ali Rogers, and Ashley Parks.

Speckmaier earned postseason accolades for the third time, and First Team honors for the second. Speckmaier headlined the midfield three goals and six assists for 12 points.

Rogers collects her first career honor with a career-best year. The redshirt senior ended her time at FGCU with three goals and two assists for eight points and one match-winner.

Parks recovered from a knee injury in 2015 and turned in a First Team All-ASUN performance in 2016. Parks headlined a defense that led the ASUN in goals against average. The Eagles backline allowed only four goals during league play.

Patton ended an impressive freshman campaign with a goal and three assists to garner a nod on the Second and All-Freshman Team.

Camille Knudstrup (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS) was joined by Tindell on the All-Academic Team.

#TINDELLTRACKER
Tindell has officially secured her spot atop two ASUN career categories during the 2016 season. Against USC Upstate (Sept. 30), a pair of goals and two addition assists made Tindell the most productive player ever in ASUN history. Two days later, Tindell's match-winner was also a record-breaker as the Ocala native became the most prolific goal scorer in ASUN history. Since then, Tindell has added two more goals and one more assist.

The senior forward has 14 goals and eight assists in 2016.

NCAA Records (Records Incomplete)

	GAME WINNING GOALS
1	Christine Sinclair	Portland 01-05	38
2	Tabby Tindell	FGCU 13-16	31
	Stephanie DeVita	Furman 12-15	29
4	Sarah Hagen	Milwaukee 08-11	27
	Christie Welsh	Penn State 99-02	27
	Tiffany Weimer	Penn State 02-05	27
	Robin Confer	UNC 94-97	27
8	Beth Liesen	Eastern Ill. 00-03	26
	Shannan MacMillan	Portland 92-95	26
10	Abby Wambach	Florida 98-01	24
	Melissa Henderson	Notre Dame 08-11	24

 
ASUN Records

	GOALS					POINTS
1	Tabby Tindell	FGCU 13-16	66		1	Tabby Tindell	FGCU 13-16	162
2	Shelley Marusak	Cent 93-95	61		2	Marit Foss	JU 97-00	148
3	Mirela Ninic	Mercer 96-99	60		3	Kara Fitzgerald	GSU 94-97	143
	Jenn Stephenson	Campbell 94-97	60		4	Shelley Marusak	Cent 93-95	141
5	Kara Fitzgerald	GSU 94-97	57		5	Mirela Ninic	Mercer 96-99	140
6	Stine Kloster	JU 97-00	53		6	Leeanna Woodworth	GWU 02-05	135
7	Keri Zwikker	JU 05-08	49		7	Jenn Stephenson	Campbell 94-97	133
8	Leeanna Woodworth	GW 02-05	49		8	Stine Kloster	JU 97-00	126
9	Chandra Yorgason	GSU 97-00	47		9	Keri Zikker	JU 05-08	122
10	Marit Foss	JU 97-00	39		10	Chandra Yorgason	GSU 97-00	117

 
FGCU Program Records

	GOALS				POINTS
1	Tabby Tindell (13-16)	66		1	Tabby Tindell (13-16)	162
2	Shannen Wacker (11-14)	28		2	Shannen Wacker (11-14)	83
3	Amber McCall (07-09)	24		3	Lindsay Haw (07-10)	68
4	Lindsay Haw (07-10)	23		4	Paulina Speckmaier (13-16)	66
5	Paulina Speckmaier (13-16)	22		5	Amber McCall (07-09)	57
6	Ally Kasun (12-15)	17		6	Ally Kasun (12-15)	53
7	Gina Petracco (08-11)	16		7	Gina Petracco (08-11)	44
8	Olivia Elias (08-11)	12		8	Ashley Ciesielczyk (08-12)	40
	Ali Rogers (12-16)	12		9	Olivia Elias (08-11)	36
10	Shea Rhoney (12-15)	10		10	Shea Rhoney (12-15)	33
	Jess Swartzentruber (09-12)	10

 

	ASSISTS
1	Tabby Tindell (13-16)	30
2	Ashley Ciesielczyk (08-12)	28
3	Shannen Wacker (11-14)	27
4	Lindsay Haw (07-10)	22
	Paulina Speckmaier (13-16)	22
6	Ally Kasun (12-15)	19
7	Melissa Arnold (11-14)	18
8	Caytlan Mackenzie (07-10)	15
9	Shea Rhoney (12-15)	13
10	Olivia Elias (08-11)	12
	Gina Petracco (08-11)	12

 
UP NEXT
The winner of Friday's contest will take on the winner of Wisconsin and Marquette Nov. 18. The location of the contest has yet to be determined.

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.
 
COACH JIM BLANKENSHIP
A veteran of over two decades in collegiate coaching, head coach Jim Blankenship, who was named the ASUN Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, has built FGCU women's soccer into a yearly contender in the ASUN Conference and a rising program in the South Region in just 10 seasons. Blankenship started the program in 2007 and has since guided the Eagles to nine double-digit win seasons, culminating with ASUN Regular Season Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2011 and 2012 he also led the Eagles to back-to-back ASUN Tournament titles and became the first team in the history of the university to make it to the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles went on to win the 2014 ASUN Tournament and hosted the first NCAA Championship event on campus. The Eagles earned their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance with the 2015 ASUN Tournament Championship and won their first NCAA game at USF in 2015, while finishing 24th in the nation. In 2016, the Eagles made it three-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament with a third-straight ASUN Tournament title. Blankenship has guided FGCU to a 129-46-20 (70.6 W%) overall record through the first 10 seasons of the program's existence, including a 66-10-11 (81.8 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 369-117-31 (74.2 W%) over 25 seasons has come while leading FGCU, the University of Miami, Lynn University and St. Thomas University.
 
#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.