TAMPA – It took 110 minutes and four rounds of penalties for the #18 FGCU men's soccer team to make history Thursday night. In the Eagles' (14-3-3) NCAA Tournament First Round contest against in-state foes USF (10-6-4), both sides had leads cancelled out ultimately sending the match to penalties with the score tied 2-2. With the chance to put his side through for the first time in program history, Albert Ruiz made the most of his chance, securing FGCU's win following a 3-0 penalty shootout.

With the win, the Eagles record-setting season continues as the Green and Blue will now travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. to face the Tar Heels at 7 p.m. 

"It was a great day for our program and for our university," said head coach Bob Butehorn. "It's a long time coming but I'm proud of the group I did it with. They deserved everything they got tonight and I'm very, very proud of them."

Ruiz (Barcelona, Spain/UE Cornella/CE L'Hospitalet) got the Eagles started with a first half goal, which held for 20 minutes as the Eagles had the better of play. His 21st goal of the campaign was cancelled out by a late goal in the first to send the match into halftime 1-1. It was the Bulls that struck first in the second half, only for Justin Gavin (Brooklyn, N.Y./Treasure Coast/Eastern Florida State College) to score a timely goal, his first of the season, to give the Eagles new life. After neither side could break through in overtime, FGCU converted three times from the spot to advance in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

The Eagles thought they had an early penalty decision when Preston Kilwien (San Francisco, Calif./College Park) decided to play direct, searching for Arion Sobers-Assue (Miami, Fla./DeMatha Catholic) over the top. The speedy redshirt-sophomore won the race, but was taken down inside the box. The referee immediately waved off any thought of a penalty while rewarding FGCU a corner within the first seven minutes. Unfortunately for the visitors, who would earn a second corner following the first, neither would lead to a chance on goal.

FGCU had a few half-chances over the next 10 minutes, including a Jiro Barriga Toyama (Chiba, Japan/Chibakennrituoihama HS/Barton Community College) cross into the box that hit off the top of the crossbar in the 22nd minute, only to break through a few minutes later. With exactly 19:00 minutes remaining in the first half, Barriga Toyama again played a dangerous ball into the box that landed at the feet of Assue who flicked it on to Ruiz. The nation's leading goal scorer added another, placing the ball far post to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

The Green and Blue nearly tacked on a second moments later when Ruiz was brought down just outside the box. Electing to play quick, Ruiz found Miguel Jaime (Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek) who made a dangerous diagonal run and attempted to best Spasoje Stefanovic at the near post but the goalkeeper was able to limit the damage and concede a corner.

While nothing came of the corner, another foul 30 yards from goal resulted in Assue redirecting a cross toward goal only for Stefanovic to get down and make the save in the 34th minute.

FGCU's lead was cancelled out with a late equalizer in the 43rd minute, a Lindo Mfeka volley from 18-yards out, as the teams went into the locker room tied at 1-1.

The Eagles were immediately put on their heels in the second half as USF looked to grab an early goal. The hosts were able to do so in the 54th minute of play as Bradley Farias found Marcus Epps around 12 yards from goal. Epps made no mistake in putting the home side in front with his first touch.

FGCU almost had an answer in the 57th minute as a failed clearance fell for Miguel Perez (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay). The midfielder elected for the half-volley but his effort went just above the bar. With momentum swinging back in the visitor's favor, Gavin took advantage of a defensive miscue, winning the ball from a USF defender. As the ball fell just inside the area, Gavin collected as Stefanovic closed in. With a defender on his back, Gavin poked underneath the 'keeper and over the line to level the match.

Jared Brown (Aurora, Ontario/St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS) played hero for a moment, denying Prosper Figby of a certain goal. Figby's point-blank header was directed down toward Brown and the freshman managed to keep from crossing the line and away from danger, over the bar for a corner. The Eagles dealt with two corners in a short span to keep the match level.

The Eagles and Bulls swapped minor chances in the latter stages of the half, including a Kilwien set piece from 35 yards out that was escorted over the bar by Stefanovic. In the waning moments, Farias attempted to beat Brown from a difficult angle but Brown got a hand to it to send the match to overtime.

Following a fairly lackluster first overtime period, the Green and Blue dominated the second overtime session. Dennis Zapata (Orlando, Fla./University HS) played a dangerous free kick into the box cleared by USF and then later recorded the only shot of the period which was saved, sending the match into penalties.

Rielee Mohsin (Stuart, Fla./Martin County/Nichols College) was the first to step to the spot for FGCU, clinically putting away his attempt. USF's Gonzalo Rodriguez then stepped up and had his shot ring off the crossbar.

In the second round, Eli Roubos (Toronto, Ontario/Northview Heights Secondary/Oregon State) was denied only for Brown to save Ricardo Gomez's shot.

Jaime got the third round started with a successful conversion, increasing the pressure on USF. Nazeem Bartman was called on for the Bulls and he missed the target allowing Ruiz to step the spot for the win.

Ruiz made no mistake, sending Stefanovic the wrong way and FGCU into the next round.

FGCU outshot USF 14-7 and held a 6-3 advantage in corners. Brown made two saves in the contest.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men's soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.
 
COACH BUTEHORN
FGCU is led by Bob Butehorn, who has coached six professional players and 63 ASUN All-Conference selections since FGCU started its program in 2007. In just six years of postseason eligibility, Butehorn has guided FGCU to four ASUN Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances – in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016 – and won an unprecedented six-straight ASUN regular-season championships from 2010-15. His teams have been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets, including a program-record #11 NSCAA ranking in 2016. Now in his 14th season as a head coach, Butehorn has a 129-93-28 (.572) overall record, 95-62-23 (.592) mark in his 10th season at FGCU and 52-18-8 (.721) record in ASUN contests.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
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.