TAMPA, Fla. – The 2017 season came to a close Saturday for the FGCU women's soccer team at the hands of #25 USF. The Eagles (14-4-1) fell 3-0 to the RPI No. 15 Bulls (13-3-2) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

FGCU, who entered the tournament at No. 35 in the RPI, matched the Bulls in the first half but took a 1-0 deficit into the break. Two late goals in the second half made a comeback difficult, bringing an end to a tremendous 2017 campaign that saw the Eagles break the single season-assist record and Ashley Parks (St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette HS) enter into a tie for the most appearances in FGCU history (84). In addition, FGCU's 50 goals are second-most all-time in program history.

"It's a little bittersweet," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "It's obviously a huge accomplishment for the program and the team but what we preach about our days like this are different outcomes. Little disappointed in the result and how we represented ourselves but at the same time proud of our team, our program, and our seniors who helped 14 newcomers come in get back to the NCAA Tournament.

The Eagles had multiple chances throughout the early stages, including a corner in the 2nd minute and a Holly Fritz (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner HS/Florida State) chance after seven minutes, but all were dealt with by the Bulls.

The hosts broke through in the 18th minute, an 18-yard strike that resulted off a long ball, but FGCU would settle in late in the first half.

The additions of Meaghan Mulligan (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Tennessee) and Silvana Gordon (Medford, NJ/Shawnee HS) sparked the Eagles with 15 minutes remaining in the contest. Just after coming on, Fritz played Gordon behind the USF backline and the sophomore nearly played a perfect ball in but it was cleared away from danger.

Moments later, it was Mulligan who forced a turnover in the attacking third that turned into a long-distance effort for the senior but her shot went over the bar. The New Jersey-native then found Fritz along the side, only for the USF defense to clear away Fritz's cross.

Late in the first half, Nikki Hudson (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park County School/Rutgers) chased down a ball just outside the box where USF goalkeeper Kat Elliot was forced to play the ball with her feet. Elliot's clearance was not deep enough, resulting in a scramble at the top of the box. The ball wound up at the feet of Fritz, but Elliot made it back in time to make a diving save.

Following halftime, Lauren Greene (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS) had a great look at goal but Elliot again made the save as FGCU searched for the equalizer.

The Green and Blue's opportunities in the second half were more difficult to come by as the Bulls increased their lead to 2-0 in the 79th minute. Among those chances was a Fritz header that went over the bar on a set piece and another free kick that was knocked down by the USF wall before the Bulls tallied their third goal.

The Eagles bid farewell to eight seniors, who played a role in four straight NCAA Tournaments and extending FGCU's run of regular season conference titles to eight.

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, 2016, and 2017. 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. A year later, the Eagles became the first ASUN women's soccer program to make four-straight NCAA Tournaments with another tournament title in 2017. Blankenship has guided FGCU to a 143-51-21 (71.1 W%) overall record through the first 11 seasons of the program's existence, including a 71-11-14 (81.1 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 383-122-32 (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.