FORT MYERS, FL – The FGCU men's soccer team, (3-2-0) struck early and often highlighted by Shak Adams netting a hat trick to lead the Eagles past I-75 rival USF, (2-5-0) 5-3, Saturday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

"Great mentality from the get-go, I thought the attack was dynamic, dangerous and we got a lot done what we wanted to do," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "We gave up some opportunities but overall happy with the attitude and energy we gave tonight. I was a little disappointed that we conceded at the end, that was a sloppy defensive play and we got a lot to work on for sure. We're happy, we beat a very good team and to score five at home always makes for an exciting night."

FGCU's first two goals came minutes apart as a leaping Adams (Antioch, Tenn./Cane Ridge HS) headed home the first on a cross followed by Dennis Zapata (Orlando, Fla./University HS) finding the back of the net on a deflection one minute later. In the 30th minute, Adams tallied his brace on a through ball from Jordan Lue (Tampa, Fla./Wharton/UCF) to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. After USF tallied before the half and less than 20 minutes into the second period, Adams coveted the elusive hat-trick in the 65th minute as Ivan Rosales (Pasadena, Texas/Sam Rayburn/San Jacinto) recorded his first goal with the Green and Blue 15 minutes before the end of regulation en route to a 5-3 victory.

The goal frenzy started in the 16th minute off a cross from Kareem Riley (Couva, Trinidad and Tobago/Presentation College San Fernando). Off to the right side, he sailed a pass into the box finding Adams for the header, beating the USF keeper who was off his line. One minute later, Riley was once again in the mix as he fired a sliding shot into the five-yard box which was deflected off the keeper's hands as Zapata was there for the tap in. His first goal of the year.

In the 30 minute, Adams pushed the Eagle's margin to 3-0. A pass from Lue beyond midfield found the speedy junior timing his run behind the Bull's backline and would finish with two touches, collecting his second goal of the night.

USF converted one minute before the half as FGCU headed into the intermission up 3-1. At the break, the Eagles edged the Bulls 10-8 in shots while both squads each had two corners.

The Bulls made it a one-goal game in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on a penalty kick. Unfazed, the Eagles quickly responded three minutes later. Titouan Le Menec (Guipavas, France/STMG/Bluefield) maneuvered around a defender inside the five-yard box, as he dished it to Adams for the near post finish, giving the junior the hat trick – the Eagle's first hat trick since Albert Ruiz's performance against Rutgers in 2016 and the program's fifth overall.

Newcomer Rosales then put the finishing touches on FGCU's five-goal performance in the 75th minute. Set up by freshman O'Vonte Mullings (Toronto, Ontario/ Northview Heights Secondary), Rosales settled the pass and fired a blistering shot into the upper 90.

USF would score seconds before the half as the Green and Blue, in front of nearly 1,400 fans, collected its third win of the season with a 5-3 final.

Gustavo Vasconcelos (Recife, Brazil/Colegio GGE) played all 90 minutes in net finishing with four saves in his second consecutive start. At the end of the night, FGCU led 17-16 in shots (nine on goal) and in corners, 5-2.

UP NEXT
FGCU will remain home and welcome Cal St. Fullerton (2017 NCAA Tournament appearance) to The Nest on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.  The Titans are currently 2-1-3 and rank 49th in the RPI.

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 124-97-50 (.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.