DELAND, Fla. – Despite controlling play for a large portion of the match, the FGCU women's soccer team was held to a 0-0 draw Saturday night at Stetson. The Eagles (7-2-1, 0-0-1) tallied 19 shots in the conference opener, but none found the back of the net as the Hatters (5-2-2, 0-0-1) held firm.

FGCU, who entered tonight's match on a 44-match unbeaten streak against conference opponents, extended that streak to 45 matches to sit alone in fourth place in NCAA history. Only Florida (50, 1997-2001), North Carolina (55, 1994-2000), and Notre Dame (77, 2005-2010) have longer streaks.

"Defensively we played well," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "It's a little bittersweet because while we got the shutout, we're accustomed to getting better results. We had some chances, their keeper made a couple of really good saves and I think this is one where both teams had that one really good chance they couldn't finish. Overall, I'm pleased with the shutout and hopefully as we go forward, the urgency of conference play kicks in. We're going to have to be a lot cleaner in front of goal."

Facing one of their top rivals for ASUN supremacy, the Eagles began their title defense on the road against a side that was atop the league standings for a portion of the 2016 season. After exchanging chances in the opening 45 minutes, the Eagles put the Hatters on their heels in the second half but could not find the back of the net as the match went into overtime. It was in overtime that both sides had golden chances to end the match, but both Melissa Weck (Yorba Linda, Calif./Esperanza HS) and Emily Plotz made tremendous saves to send both sides home with a point.

Stetson was the first to put the opposition in a nervous spot, but it was cleaned up nicely by the FGCU backline, leading to Marjorie Boilesen (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Porto Seguro/West Florida) being fouled in the defensive third to relieve pressure. As play went the other way, the Brazilian found Varin Ness (Sogndal, Norway/Sogndal Vidaregåande Skule/Carson Newman) in space along the left side, who then nearly picked out Kiana Rugar (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield HS/Albany) making a run toward goal. The service was just out of reach for the Connecticut-native and it went out for a goal kick.

Rugar supplied the first of multiple near-goals for the Green and Blue in the 19th minute, one that helped put FGCU on the front-foot for the remainder of regulation. Rugar was in the right spot, cleaning up a failed clearance from Stetson only for her shot to hit the crossbar. Unfortunately, for FGCU, no one was there to clean up the rebound and it was cleared away.

Just beyond the half-hour mark, Meaghan Mulligan (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck High School/Tennessee) had two fantastic chances following a shot from Ness. The Norwegian's shot was touched away by Plotz but Mulligan was on top of the play, ready for the rebound. The senior's shot was also saved, however. Mulligan's second shot, a header off a cross from Ness, was safely corralled by Plotz two minutes later.

Nikki Hudson (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park County School/Rutgers) and Paige Law (Sanibel Island, Fla./Bishop Verot/Stetson) both had chances near the end of the half but neither were on target.

The Green and Blue started the second half, earning four corners within the first 15 minutes but none would produce a shot on frame.

The first true chance for FGCU in the second half came on a long-distance effort from Boilesen, who's shot in the 66th minute was touched over the bar. The Eagles continued to put the Hatters on their heels, pressing forward in search of the game's first goal, but a dominant second half in terms of possession resulted in a trio of shots and just the one save for Plotz.

In the first extra time period of the season, FGCU and Stetson exchanged one-on-one opportunities with both goalkeepers making game-saving saves. Weck made three saves in the first 10-minute period, none bigger than denying Lindsey Parent when she was behind the defense. Quickly, FGCU countered and Boilesen was in a similar situation, this time Plotz made the save.

Early in the second 10-minute extra time period, Holly Fritz (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner HS/Florida State) found space along the left side, cut back and attempted to beat Plotz near-post but the goalkeeper was up to the task and the match would end scoreless.

Weck finished the night with six saves while Fritz and Boilesen each tallied three shots, two on goal to lead the Eagles.
 
UP NEXT
The conference schedule heats up when FGCU returns home next week. The Eagles welcome Lipscomb to the Nest Friday night before Kennesaw State visits Fort Myers Sunday afternoon.

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 136-49-21 (70.7 W%) overall record through the first 11 seasons of the program's existence, including a 66-10-14 (81.8 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 376-120-32 (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.