BOCA RATON, Fla. – It was a promising start to the 2017 season for the FGCU women's soccer team featuring a dominant defensive performance and narrowly missing out on a massive upset over #4 South Carolina. With the opening weekend behind them, the Eagles remain in the state for the FAU Adidas Owl Classic. While in Boca Raton, FGCU will face Valparaiso and Eastern Michigan.

The Green and Blue's weekend-opening matchup with the Crusaders is set for Friday at 5 p.m. FGCU will then feature Sunday morning at 11 a.m. against Eastern Michigan. Live stats are available through FAU however, no stream is available at this time.

LAST TIME OUT
While the Eagles fell short of starting the 2017 campaign 2-0, FGCU got off to an encouraging start. The Green and Blue used goals from newcomers Hope Van Wagner (Avon, Ind./Avon HS), Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida), and Kiana Rugar (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield HS/Albany) to defeat Georgia Southern 3-0 in the season-opener. FGCU allowed just one shot during the match, marking the second-straight regular season contest the Green and Blue limited their opponents to one shot.

Then against the #4 South Carolina Gamecocks, FGCU had opportunities to head into the break level or with the lead following chances from Boilesen and Rugar, but settled for a Lindsey Patton (Jacksonville, Fla./Oakleaf HS) equalizer in the 55th minute.

With the match tied 1-1, the referee pointed to the spot following a controversial foul call inside the box. South Carolina converted the spot kick for what would be the match-winner. The Eagles pushed forward with both Petra Smetkova (Korycany, Czech Republic/Klvanovo Gymnazium Kyjov/Arkansas) and Holly Fritz (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner HS/Florida State) getting clean looks at goal. A South Carolina defender appeared to handle Fritz's blast in the box, but the referee waived off any idea of a penalty kick.

EYE ON THE STORM
Currently in the Gulf, Invest 92L could influence the playing conditions this weekend. The system could see parts of Florida, including both Fort Myers and Boca Raton, receive anywhere from 3-5 inches of rain. While the National Hurricane Center does not expect Invest 92L to grow into a tropical depression or storm, a large amount of uncertainty remains due to multiple factors in the Carolinas and wind conditions.

PATTON LEADS DEFENSIVE CHARGE
At the center of FGCU's defensive efforts, Patton earned the first ASUN Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. The honor is the sophomore's second of her career.

The Jacksonville-native has now been part of 11 shutouts during her career while scoring twice.

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 three goals and an assist through two matches this season. Additionally, Smetkova and Zoey Spitzer (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS) have contributed defensively for FGCU.

THE CRUSADERS
Valparaiso earned wins over NAIA program Grace and IUPUI to start the year 2-0 after completing 2016 with a 9-10 mark. The Crusaders combined for five goals over those two matches with Sydney Griffin netting two goals to lead the team. Valparaiso also received goals from Jordon Tindell, Tahelah Noel, and Lauren Tornhorst.

Drew Moulton featured in goal for the Crusaders, making seven saves over 180 minutes. Last season, Moulton appeared in two matches, posting a 1.83 goals against average.

FGCU and Valparaiso have never met prior to Friday.

EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
Eastern Michigan began the year with a draw opposite Illinois State and a victory over Illinois-Chicago for a 1-0-1 mark following a 6-10-4 record last season. EMU has witnessed goals from Sabrina McNeill and Alia Frederick through two matches.

In goal, Kaylin Williams has made 10 saves over 200 minutes, posting a 0.90 goals against average.

FGCU and EMU will meet for the first time Sunday.

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.