TUCSON, Ariz. – Cassidy Morgan's first career goal brought FGCU to within one late, but missed chances early in the contest cost the FGCU women's soccer team in a 2-1 loss to Arizona State Sunday afternoon. On a hot day in Tucson, the Eagles (6-2) five-match winning streak was brought to an end at the hands of the Sun Devils (2-3-1).

"You have to finish your chances, we didn't and they scored on a counter that changed the game," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "It's disappointing because we had some opportunities early and it came back to bite us. Ultimately, it's a good weekend because you go 1-1 on the road, but when you're in a position to come away with six points it's disappointing. We'll learn from this after playing two really good teams."

A late substitute, Morgan (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay HS) headed home a corner sent in by Paige Law (Sanibel Island, Fla./Bishop Verot/Stetson) after the Eagles found themselves trailing 2-0 despite dominating the first half of the match. ASU came out strong in the second stanza, scoring twice in a ten-minute span. FGCU had a couple chances late in the contest to force extra time, but only one was able to find the back of the bet.

FGCU was off and running early, earning a free kick within the first two minutes. Holly Fritz's (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner HS/Florida State) service was brilliant, leading to a scramble in front of goal that was almost finished off by Camille Knudstrup (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS). The junior's shot however cleared off the line, falling to Hope Van Wagner (Avon, Ind./Avon HS) who had a shot blocked.

The pressure continued to mount in front of Arizona State's goal, resulting in a corner for the Green and Blue. While the corner was cleared away, Zoey Spitzer (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS) picked an opportune time to push forward after winning the ball back for the Eagles. The freshman had a well-placed shot ring off the crossbar, falling to Varin Ness (Sogndal, Norway/Sogndal Vidaregåande Skule/Carson Newman). The Norwegian elected to use her head, but Nikki Panas punched it over the bar for another corner that was cleared away.

Still, within the first five minutes, Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida) found the ball at her feet with her back to goal and Panas well off her line. Boilesen turned and attempted to chip the goalkeeper from 25 yards out, only for her shot to go over the bar.

The game began to settle 20 minutes in with Melissa Weck (Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza HS) making her first save in the 27th minute of play in what would be one of the final chances for either side in the opening stanza.   

The Sun Devils took the lead in the 56th minute on a counter attack and doubled their lead in the 64th minute on goals from Jemma Purfield and Angela Boyle, respectively.

Three substitutes then brought FGCU to within 2-1. After Shay Jackson (Parkville, Mo./Park Hill South HS) earned a corner for the Green and Blue, Law delivered a tremendous service toward the back post where Morgan headed home her first collegiate goal.

The chances for FGCU continued, including a late corner that produced a shot for Van Wagner, however, none would result in the crucial second goal as FGCU fell 2-1.

UP NEXT
FGCU is scheduled to take on currently #20 UCF and Webber International in its final warm up before ASUN play. The Eagles make the trip to Orlando for a Friday, Sept. 15 meeting with the Knights before Webber International comes to Fort Myers Monday, Sept. 18.
 
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 135-49-20 (70.7 W%) overall record through the first 11 seasons of the program's existence, including a 66-10-11 (81.8 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 375-120-31 (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.