FORT MYERS, Fla. – One of the best offensive performances in program history came following one of the more stressful weeks for the FGCU women's soccer team. A program-record 45 shots led the way for an 8-0 victory for the Eagles (7-2) over the Webber International Warriors (2-0) Monday night in the team's first game back after Hurricane Irma. The match was scheduled as an exhibition for the Warriors (NAIA program) and therefore does not count toward the team's overall record.

"This weekend was all about getting back to normal," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "A little bit was trying to get back and assess what was going on at home and get back to a normal life. On the bright side, we had this game on Monday otherwise we may not have got this in. I'm very happy with the effort tonight. They came out with a purpose and once they connected some passes and got the goal we felt like more would come."

The Eagles did not get back to campus until early Friday evening after being scheduled to arrive back from Arizona Monday. Because of Hurricane Irma, the Green and Blue remained in Arizona but greeted their home fans with a tremendous offensive showing. The eight goals scored tonight by FGCU is the fourth-highest single-game output in program history. In addition, the goals were scored on 10 assists, the third-highest total, for a total of 26 points, also the third-highest total.

"We were fortunate to be in Arizona this past week," Blankenship added. "They absolutely took care of us. We tried to keep a little bit of normalcy even though every second of the day the kids are watching tv or checking their phones to check in on family members. We were safe and together and now we're back home in front of our fans."

Varin Ness (Sogndal, Norway/Sogndal Vidaregåande Skule/Carson Newman) and Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida) led the way with four points each. Ness' came on her first multi-goal game as an Eagle while Boilesen tallied her sixth goal of the season and added two assists. Camille Knudstrup (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS), Nikki Hudson (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park County School/Rutgers), Holly Fritz (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner HS/Florida State), Paige Law (Sanibel Island, Fla./Bishop Verot/Stetson), and Kiana Rugar (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield HS/Albany) also scored for the Eagles. The seven goalscorers tonight is the most for FGCU since 2011.

It took 20 minutes for the Eagles to tally the game's first goal. With Webber International trying to keep FGCU from possessing the ball in the midfield, the Green and Blue earned a free kick and Boilesen stepped up and delivered a well-placed ball into the box where Knudstrup met it with her head, sending it beyond the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead. The goal is the junior's first since her freshman season.

Less than 60 seconds later, it was Ness bagging the first of her two goals on the night. A Boilesen pass cleverly flicked on by Rugar sent Ness in one-on-one with the goalkeeper and for the second time in three games, the Norwegian coolly put it away, putting the home side in front 2-0.

Boilesen again played a role in the third goal. Less than 180 seconds later, the Brazilian was brought down in the box and the referee whistled for a penalty. Lauren Greene (Lakeland, Fla./George Jenkins HS) stepped up to the spot, but her shot was saved by Sarah McKinney. The rebound went to Knudstrup who attempted to beat McKinney near-post. Following yet another tremendous save from the goalkeeper, Hudson tallied her first goal since the 2015 season, finishing off the rebound.

The final goal of the half came in the 26th minute when the Eagles passed the ball around the Warrior defense. Greene and Jocelyn Nelson (Bansdall, Okla./Bartlesville HS/Florida) provided the final passes leading to Fritz's third goal of the year from 18-yards out.

Ness got the Eagles going 14 minutes into the second half, finishing off a fantastic run and cross from Cassidy Morgan (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay HS) who picked up a point for the second-straight match.

Leading 5-0, Boilesen again was fouled inside the box in the 61st minute. This time the Brazilian took the penalty and scored her sixth of the year.

Three minutes later, it was Law who got in on the action. After sitting out last season due to an injury, the senior was the recipient of a smart chest-pass from Meaghan Mulligan (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Tennessee). After collecting the ball, Law chipped it over the goalkeeper from 18-yards out to make it 7-0.

Rugar then ended the scoring the Eagles in the 82nd minute of play following another smart run from Morgan. The freshman slid the ball into Rugar's path and the senior put it beyond the reach of McKinney who had come out to cut down the angle. Hope Van Wagner (Avon, Ind./Avon HS) also received an assist on the play.

Melissa Weck (Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza HS) and Elyse Hansen (Mequon, Wis./Homestead HS) split time in net. Neither had to make a save.

UP NEXT
The Eagles officially begin their ASUN Conference title defense Saturday at Stetson.
 
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 136-49-20 (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 376-120-31 (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.