CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The FGCU men's soccer team (0-1) suffered a 1-0 loss Friday evening as Charlotte (1-0) connected on a header with three minutes remaining in regulation to walk away with the victory.
 
"Charlotte was deserving, they dictated the match," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "They're physical, competitive and know how to be successful at this level and at home. We fell into the trap of playing direct and struggled to find our identity as a team. We will learn to improve and be ready to get back after it against another NCAA level opponent in Presbyterian."

It was a busy night in net for keeper Gustavo Vasconcelos (Recife, Brazil/Colegio GGE) who faced a flurry of shots in the first half, as the Brazil native secured five saves in the first period as both teams headed into the intermission knotted at 0-0. Charlotte continued to pressure the Eagles in the second half and shortly after Vasconcelos recorded his 10th save of the evening, a cross in the box was headed in by Maclean Holbrook in the 87th minute for the game-winner.

The first save of the night for Vasconcelos arrived in the 25th tick to keep the first threat from the 49ers off the board. Just 10 minutes later, the Eagles would earn a pair of corner kicks but nothing would materialize. As the end of the first period loomed, Charlotte fired a span of three shots on frame, which all proved to be denied as both squads headed into the intermission in a deadlock 0-0 tie.

In the second period, the 49ers continued to dictate their play, while the FGCU offense saw its first shot of the night come off the foot of newcomer Noah Bushey (Spokane, Wash/New Mexico/Chatfield Senior HS) in the 72nd. Vasconcelos added to the suspense grabbing his 10th save of the night in the 84th – the second-most saves in a single-season game (Glick-13 vs Campbell 07')–, until the tie was broken three ticks later as a cross in the box was headed in by Holbrook for the game-winner.

The loss marks the first time since Sept. 3, 2017 (Central Connecticut State) in which the Eagles were shutout, also taking place on the road. FGCU will face a quick turnaround as it heads to Clinton, S.C. next to take on Presbyterian at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men's soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.

HEAD COACH JESSE CORMIER
Jesse Cormier guided FGCU to an 8-6-3 (4-1-1 ASUN) record in his 1st season with the team in 2017. The Eagles reached the ASUN Tournament semifinals for the 7th-straight season (every year of eligibility), and Cormier coached a program-record 10 all-conference selections. Hired in January of 2017 to become just the 2nd head coach in program history, Cormier was the head coach at Vermont for the previous 13 seasons. He won 14 games with the Catamounts in 2016 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. During his time with Vermont, Cormier guided the program to the America East Tournament in 12 of 13 seasons, making five title game appearances, winning two tournament crowns, claiming a regular-season championship and advancing to three NCAA tournaments, including a pair of Second Round appearances. Cormier holds an overall 122-96-50 (.562) record as a head coach.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
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