COLUMBIA, SC – A Lindsey Patton equalizer in the 55th minute nearly set the stage for an FGCU upset victory over #4 South Carolina only for a late penalty decision and conversion to go against the Eagles, resulting in a 2-1 defeat. The Eagles (1-1) had another controversial decision go against them in the game's final moments allowing the Gamecocks (2-0) to see out the win.  
 
"We had our chances and we played well," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "I'm really proud of these kids and the way they played in a really great and tough environment. Just a tough way to go down on a penalty call."
 
FGCU settled in and more than matched South Carolina across the field beginning in the 30th minute. Trailing 1-0 13 minutes in and after Melissa Weck (Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza HS) made two earlier saves, Kiana Rugar (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield HS/Albany) entered the match and nearly brought the Green and Blue level. The transfer rose above her mark and redirected a cross past the goalkeeper but the ball continued to spin just wide of goal. Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida) then had a clean look at goal just before halftime, but Gamecock goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski made the save.
 
After the break, FGCU continued to have the better of play resulting in a dangerous set piece opportunity. Holly Fritz (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner HS/Florida State) delivered the ball into box where Patton (Jacksonville, Fla./Oakleaf HS) headed home the equalizer after 55 minutes of play.
 
Petra Smetkova (Korycany, Czech Republic/Klvanovo Gymnazium Kyjov/Arkansas) nearly replicated Patton in the 56th minute only for Krzeczowski to parry the effort out of bounds for an FGCU corner. AS FGCU continued to push forward, South Carolina grabbed the lead against the run of play when the official ruled Lauren Chang was fouled in the box. All-American Savannah McCaskill stepped up and converted to put the home side in front 2-1.
 
FGCU refused to back down and had multiple chances to pull even. Varin Ness (Sogndal, Norway/Sogndal Vidaregåande Skule/Carson Newman) had the first of those opportunities, finding herself one-on-one with Krzeczowski. The goalkeeper saved Ness' shot, which resulted in another corner for the Green and Blue.
 
On the ensuing corner, Fritz was on the other end of Meaghan Mulligan's (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Tennessee) service and the Cape Coral-native wasted no time putting the ball on frame. Her shot was blocked, striking a South Carolina defender on the arm but the referee ruled it was not a handball.  
 
That would be FGCU's final opportunity to force extra time, as the Eagles fell by a 2-1 final.
 
Weck (1-1) finished the match with four saves on six shots on goal. FGCU as a team finished with eight shots, five on goal, compared to South Carolina's 10.
 
UP NEXT
FGCU remains on the road with neutral site matches against Valparaiso (Friday) and Eastern Michigan (Sunday) at the FAU Adidas Owl Classic.
 
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.
 
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 130-48-20 (70.7 W%) overall record through the first 10 seasons of the program's existence, including a 66-10-11 (81.8 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 370-119-31 (74.3 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.