HILLSIDE, N.J. – On the heels of its first ASUN Conference victory, the FGCU women's soccer team looks to continue trending toward the top of the conference with a pair of road matches this weekend. Currently sitting in a tie for third with four points, the Eagles face NJIT and USC Upstate Friday and Sunday, respectively, as conference play hits full stride.
 
The Green and Blue first meet the Highlanders at 3 p.m. Friday to kick off the weekend. The match is scheduled to take place at Kean University instead of in Newark, as NJIT build its new stadium. FGCU then heads to Spartanburg, South Carolina for a match with the Spartans at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
Both matches will have live stats available through the respective websites and links can also be found on FGCUathletics.com. In addition, NJIT will have a live video stream.  
 
SERIES HISTORY
FGCU has had a tremendous amount of success against both NJIT and USC Upstate. The Eagles are a combined 11-0-1 against the two opponents, outscoring the two sides 52-0.

The Green and Blue have won both prior matchups with the Highlanders, starting with a 6-0 result in Newark two years ago followed by a 1-0 victory last season in Fort Myers.

Over the first ten meetings, FGCU has gained 28 out of the maximum 30 points from USC Upstate, carrying a 9-0-1 record into Sunday's meeting. The lone blemish is a 0-0 draw in Spartanburg in 2010.

LAST TIME OUT
FGCU had to wait to open its home conference schedule. Friday's opener was postponed due to heavy rains that made the field surface unplayable. FGCU used that to put on a strong showing Sunday against Kennesaw State, scoring three times in the first half to all but secure three points.

Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida) scored the opener, volleying home a cross that Nikki Hudson (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park County School/Rutgers) that was directed toward the sophomore by Emilie Olsen (Frekhaug, Norway/Tertnes VGS). Minutes later, Varin Ness (Sogndal, Norway/Sogndal Vidaregåande Skule/Carson Newman) took advantage of a mistake by the Owl defense, burying her one-on-one chance to make it 2-0 FGCU.
A little over 30 minutes into the match, Hudson scored her second goal of the season, finishing off a wonderful combination with Lauren Greene (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS).

While the match would end 3-0, FGCU had multiple chances to increase its lead in the second half, including an opportunity for Boilesen that hit the post.

ASUN AWARD WINNERS
Over seven weeks of the season, FGCU has been well-represented on the list of ASUN weekly award-winners. Hudson became the latest to earn an award, taking home ASUN Player of the Week accolades for the first time in her career.

Hudson tallied a goal and an assist against Kennesaw State Sunday to help FGCU earn its first victory in conference play. Hudson got the assist on Boilesen's opener before the senior ended the half with her second goal of the year.

The list of award-winners include:
Aug. 21 – Lindsey Patton (Defensive Player of the Week)
Aug. 28 – Marjorie Boilesen (Player of the Week)
Sept. 5 – Holly Fritz (Player of the Week)
Sept. 11 – Melissa Weck (Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 2 – Nikki Hudson (Player of the Week)
 
THE HIGHLANDERS
A pair of three-game losing skids has canceled out a stretch of six-straight victories for the Highlanders. The latest skid has NJIT at 6-6 heading into the weekend, with their latest loss coming in double overtime to UNF (1-0). NJIT currently sits at the bottom of the ASUN table at 0-3.

An improving squad under second-year head coach Ally Nick, the Highlanders have already matched their win total from last season and appear to be on pace to break their Division I record for goals in a season (24), set last season. Briana Hackos leads a group of 12 different goal-scorers for NJIT. Despite only starting three games this season, Hackos has found the back of the net three times.

In goal, Amelia Sapirman has earned nine starts and enters the weekend with a 1.10 goals against average behind 44 saves.

THE SPARTANS
USC Upstate returns home following a seven-match road trip capped by a 2-1 victory over UNF Friday evening. Although the scheduled finale against Jacksonville was postponed, the Spartans went 4-2-1 during the seven-game stretch to improve to 6-5-1 overall and 1-0-1 in ASUN play.

Both Abbie Ellis and Jada Kinlaw have tallied seven points this season to lead the way for the Spartans. Ellis is also part of a trio of goal scorers with three goals under their belt. Similar to NJIT, USC Upstate has had 11 different players find the back of the net in 2017.

The reigning ASUN Defensive Player of the Week will likely feature in goal for the Spartans. Brooke Bailey has earned eight starts this season, recording a 2.19 goals against average over 740:00 minutes of action. Samantha Munyon has also earned time in goal, earning four starts while recording a 0.25 goals against average.

LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
At 8-2-1 overall, FGCU is off to its best 11-game start in program history. A closer look at the schedule shows just how impressive the opening stretch has been.

Both of FGCU's losses have come against RPI Top 100 programs, including the No. 1 overall team in terms of RPI and the #3 team overall in the latest coaches poll, South Carolina. The 2-1 loss to the Gamecocks was controversial, ultimately decided by a penalty decision late in the match.

The Eagles' other loss, a 2-1 decision to Arizona State (No. 70), nearly went in FGCU's favor. The Green and Blue had multiple chances early against the Sun Devils but they could not find the back of the net early.

FGCU's biggest win this season is a 1-0 result at No. 30 Arizona. The Wildcats are currently receiving five votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Association poll. Arizona has currently won four of its last five matches with its only loss at #2 Stanford. The Wildcats sit fourth in the Pac-12, the third-best conference in terms of conference RPI.

RPI WATCH
FGCU jumped six spots in the latest RPI, checking in at No. 36. Among non-Power 5 programs, the Eagles have the sixth-highest RPI. In comparison, when FGCU hosted Auburn in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014, the Eagles were No. 26.

ASUN STANDINGS AND FIXTURES
The current ASUN standings entering the third weekend of action:

		ASUN Record			Overall Record
School	Pts	W	L	T	W	L	T
UNF	6	2	1	0	8	3	0
Stetson	5	1	0	2	6	2	3
FGCU	4	1	0	1	8	2	1
USC Upstate	4	1	0	1	6	5	1
Lipscomb	4	1	0	1	4	5	3
Jacksonville	3	1	1	0	3	6	0
Kennesaw State	1	0	2	1	5	5	3
NJIT	0	0	3	0	6	6	0

 
This week's schedule:
Friday, Oct. 6
FGCU @ NJIT – 3 PM
Jacksonville @ Kennesaw State – 5 PM
Stetson @ USC Upstate – 7 PM
UNF @ Lipscomb – 8 PM

Sunday, Oct. 8
FGCU @ USC Upstate – 1 PM
UNF @ Kennesaw State – 1 PM
Stetson @ NJIT – 1 PM
Jacksonville @ Lipscomb – 2 PM

ASUN DOMINATION
Since joining the ASUN conference, the Eagles have been the gold standard. For seven-straight seasons, the Green and Blue have lifted the ASUN regular season trophy and for five of the last six seasons, FGCU has earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Under Jim Blankenship, the Eagles hold a 67-10-14 record against conference foes in the regular season, a regular that only improves when the conference tournament is included (11-0-1).

As part of that impressive run, the Green and Blue are unbeaten in their last 46 matches against conference foes, including the conference tournament. That streak stands as the longest-active streak in the country and the fourth-longest ever.

FGCU also maintains an impressive home record against ASUN foes. The Eagles are 31-0-3 in their last 34 regular season home conference matches. The run of 34-straight unbeaten is the third-longest in the country.

Below is FGCU's record during the regular season and the conference tournament:
 

	ASUN Regular Season			ASUN Tournament
Year	W	L	T	W	L	T
2007	7	4	0	-	-	-
2008	5	2	3	-	-	-
2009%	6	2	2	-	-	-
2010*	8	0	2	-	-	-
2011*&	7	1	1	2	0	0
2012*&^	7	1	1	2	0	0
2013*	7	0	2	1	0	1
2014*&	7	0	0	2	0	0
2015*&	6	0	1	2	0	0
2016*&	6	0	1	2	0	0
2017	1	0	1	-	-	-
Overall	67	10	14	11	0	1

_{*Indicates ASUN Regular Season Title
& Indicates ASUN Tournament Title and NCAA Tournament berth
^ FGCU's last loss against an ASUN opponent: Oct. 5, 2012 at UNF (2-0)
% FGCU's last home loss to an ASUN opponent: Oct. 3, 2009 vs. Campbell (1-0)}

INCOMING CLASS RECEIVES PRAISE
The 13 newcomers brought in by head coach Jim Blankenship ranks among the best incoming classes in the United States. According to a frequent researcher and respected soccer-community member, FGCU has the 17th-best incoming class across all Division I programs. This class, according to Soccerhunter on BigSoccer.com, has FGCU in front on programs such as Florida, Wake Forest, and USF.

The newcomers have already made an impact tallying 19 goals and 14 assists through ten matches this season.

REGIONAL RANKINGS
The Eagles remain 14th in the United Soccer Coaches Association Southeast Region alongside the likes of South Carolina, Florida, UCF, Alabama, and Arkansas. FGCU currently has not received a vote in the national poll.

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 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 136-49-21 (71.1 W%) overall record through the first 11 seasons of the program's existence, including a 66-10-14 (81.1 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 376-120-32 (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