FORT MYERS, Fla. – Looking for its fourth win over an SEC opponent in program history, the FGCU women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Alabama Sunday afternoon at the FGCU Soccer Complex. The Eagles received a valiant effort in goal from Melissa Weck, who recorded a near record-tying performance. FGCU (2-3-0) had a goal disallowed with less than 30 seconds in the match, sending the Crimson Tide (5-1) home with the win.

"They're a good side, they got the goal they needed we just need to battle through it," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "It's a tough one because we aren't getting the break we need. We have some calls going against us and we're letting it rattle us. We're playing at a really good level we just need to finish these matches out. We have a chance and we have to put them away."
 











Weck (Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza HS) made 11 saves in the match, one shy of tying Stephanie Powers' 12 saves in 2011 against Charlotte. The freshman's performance highlighted an otherwise offensive match between the Eagles and Tide, as the two teams combined for 33 shots with 17 on goal. The visitor's broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, finishing off a rebound just a few yards from goal. The Green and Blue had one final chance with under a minute remaining, but Tabby Tindell (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic HS) had her goal disallowed after she was ruled to be offside. FGCU was outshot 18-15 on the day.

The Eagles started the match on a positive note, pushing forward from the beginning which resulted in Tindell creating some space, racing to the endline and trying to beat Kat Stratton at her near post. The senior had her shot saved in the 10th minute, sending the Tide the other way where Auburn Mercer forced Weck to make her first save of the afternoon. The Eagles continued to press forward, earning two corners in quick succession, both resulting in shots that missed their target.

The tempo of the match picked up around the 30th minute beginning with a Tindell shot that was blocked and a Meaghan Mulligan (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Tennessee) effort that went wide of goal. From there, Alabama was the more assertive side, forcing Weck to make four saves in the final ten minutes of the half, none more important than in the 40th minute. Alabama's Lacey Clarida was ruled to have been fouled in the box while turning to receive a pass. On the ensuing penalty attempt, Weck sprawled to her left to save Clarida's shot to keep the match scoreless. Weck ended the half with six saves, while the Eagles and Tide were almost deadlocked on shots, with Alabama holding a slight 9-8 edge following the late outburst.

FGCU controlled the early phases of the second half as the hosts searched for the match's opening goal. Tindell was again denied in the 49th minute, followed closely by a Nikki Hudson (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park County School/Rutgers) shot that went high. Mulligan then tested Stratton in the 51st minute, but the goalkeeper was up to the task.

Weck was called upon moments later, making another impressive save by diving to her right to keep Clarida off the scoresheet again. Action continued at the other end of the field when Tindell had a shot deflected, ultimately earning a corner for the Eagles. Yazmin Velez (Venice, Fla./Venice HS) was on the other end of the corner, collecting a failed clearance and putting a shot on goal only for Stratton to make the save.

The visitors were able to break through in the 61st minute when Emma Welch picked out Auburn Mercer in front of goal. Mercer's first attempt was saved by Weck, but the rebound was eventually put back in by Mercer after four players, two from each side, fought for possession.

Trying to catch the Tide on an emotional high, the Eagles earned a free kick in their attacking third. Paulina Speckmaier (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep/Florida) played a perfect ball into the area, finding a diving Hudson. The midfielder's header however went right into Stratton's arms.

The Green and Blue had one final opportunity when Camille Knudstrup (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS) cleared the ball upfield to Ali Rogers (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS). The senior found Tindell, who had beat her mark and was racing toward goal. The two connected, with Tindell winning a header and putting in the back of the net. The goal however would be called back because the assistant referee ruled Tindell was in an offside position when the ball was played.

UP NEXT
The Eagles go on the road to face ACC-foe Miami on Thursday. FGCU and Miami are set to play at 7 p.m. in Coral Gables.

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 now 2015, 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 nine seasons. Blankenship started the program in 2007 and has since guided the Eagles to nine double-digit win seasons, culminating with Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. In 2011 and 2012 he also led the Eagles to back-to-back ASUN tournament championships 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 host 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. Blankenship has guided FGCU to a 116-44-19 (70.7 W%) overall record through the first ten seasons of the program's existence, including a 60-9-10 (76.2 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 356-115-30 (74.3 W%) over 25 seasons has come while leading FGCU, the 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.
 
#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.