FORT MYERS, Fla. – The #25 FGCU women's soccer team suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to Lipscomb Tuesday night, bringing an end to one of the most impressive stretches in NCAA history. The Eagles (11-3-1, 4-1-1) were on the wrong end of a penalty decision in the 78th minute, a decision that would result in a goal for the Lady Bisons (8-5-3, 5-0-1) and the only goal of the match.

The loss brings an end to a 49-game unbeaten streak against conference opponents, the fourth-longest streak in NCAA history. In addition, the loss marks the first loss at home against a conference foe since the 2009 season.

"It's obviously disappointing," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "The team put so much into it and so much into the season, it's heartbreaking. Our expectations are quite high, so to not get a result the kids are down. Hats off to them though, they withstood a ton of pressure and we had plenty of chances to be on top. They get a PK and that might have been the only dangerous chance the entire half."

FGCU outshot Lipscomb 15-6 including an 8-2 shots on goal advantage. Among those chanceas was a shot by Emilie Olsen (Frekhaug, Norway/Tertnes VGS) that rang off the crossbar and another attempt from Varin Ness (Sogndal, NorwaySogndal Vidaregåande Skule/Carson Newman) that was saved by Lipscomb goalkeeper Kate Mason when the senior was one-on-one.

The Eagles had multiple chances in the first half to open the scoring. Nikki Hudson (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park County School/Rutgers) had the first look at goal, a bending effort the was punched over the bar by Mason. On the ensuing corner, Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida) flicked a header toward goal but Mason made an easy save.

Olsen's chance came in the 14th minute. The sophomore found herself in a pocket of space and beat Mason with a shot from distance only for it to strike off the bar. Cassidy Morgan (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay HS) followed on the rebound but it went wide right.

It was all FGCU in the second half beginning with a Ness opportunity when she was one-on-one with the goalkeeper only for Mason to again make the save.

The frustrations continued when the Eagles were whistled for a foul in the box, setting up and Ellen Lundy conversion from the spot.

FGCU earned two corners over the final ten minutes but none would result in a goal to extend the match.

UP NEXT
FGCU still has a chance to extend its regular season championship streak, should Kennesaw State defeat Lipscomb and FGCU beat UNF.

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.
 
IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.
 
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 11 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 140-50-21 (71.1 W%) overall record through the first 11 seasons of the program's existence, including a 70-11-14 (81.1 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 380-121-32 (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