FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU men's soccer team (4-6-2) fell to non-conference in-state foe No. 15 FIU (8-0-3) in the final overtime period by a score of 3-2 Tuesday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

"We started slowly by conceding a goal early but I think after that we took over the game, being dominant in every category of possession," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "We defended very well and created opportunities to get the equalizer. We've gone through some ups and downs through the season but today was not a down, it was an up. I'm proud of the guys and we're rising so I'm very encouraged from what I saw tonight."

FIU got on the board quickly scoring in the sixth minute of play as Xavi Ferris found the back of the net. He would then make it 2-0 in the 15th minute of action to put the Panthers up 2-0. FGCU continued to press finding a shot on frame in the 25th minute taken by Ivan Rosales (Houston, Texas/San Jacinto) as O'Vonte Mullings (Toronto, Ontario/Northview Heights Secondary HS) cut the deficit to one with his fourth goal of the season (leads team) in the 31st minute. Collecting a pass from Rosales, the sophomore sprinted into the 18-yard box, tucking it away to the near right-post.

At the break, FGCU recorded nine shots and three corners, trailing just one.

In the second period, the Eagles pushed numbers ahead, firing four shots (one on frame) inside the opening 20 minutes. The persistence paid off with Jahan Rajaee (Gainesville, Fla./F.W. Buchholz HS) netting his second goal of the season in the 77th minute. In the mix once again, Rosales found Rajaee outside the penalty area as he fired one to the left far-post for the equalizer.

It was the third time this season the Green and Blue headed into overtime. With 5:23 left in the second overtime stanza, FIU was awarded a free-kick from 20-yards out. Alban Rousselet sent one into the box, finding the head of David Garcia who put it away to end the contest.

FGCU edged FIU 17-14 in shots as both teams' registered six corners apiece. The Eagles dominated 62 percent of the possession. Starting keeper Connor Gavigan (Aurora, Colo./Creighton) secured four saves in the losing effort as he moves to 1-2-0 overall. Rosales led the Eagles with four shots (one on goal).  

Up Next
FGCU resumes ASUN play Saturday night hosting Jacksonville (4-3-2, 0-2-1 ASUN). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The match will be a "pink-out" for cancer awareness.

Fall Sports Single-Game, Season and Group Tickets On Sale
Single game tickets for volleyball, men's soccer and women's soccer are on sale now. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for military/veterans (with ID) and youth (age 15 and under).

Season tickets (entry to each home game) are $55 for volleyball and women's soccer and $40 for men's soccer. Group tickets are $7 for groups of 15 or more and will include reserved seats, group recognition, a group activity and choice of FGCU gear or food. Fall Frequent Flyer passes, which includes a total of 30 entries to all three sports, are just $99.
 
For all inquiries, you can visit FGCUtickets.com, call 239-590-7145 or stop by the ticket office, which is open daily Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one hour prior to all home events.

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 completed his second as head coach of the FGCU men's soccer program after being hired in January of 2017 to become just the 2nd head coach in program history. Cormier has guided FGCU to a 21-17-7 (.544) record overall, including a 10-2-2 mark (.786) in ASUN play. The Eagles have reached the ASUN Tournament semifinals for eight-straight seasons (every year of eligibility), as Cormier has coached 16 all-conference selections since his arrival (program-record 10 in 2017). Cormier was the head coach at his alma mater the University of 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 135-106-54 (.549) record as a head coach in his fourteen plus seasons at the helm.

ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 78 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 11+ seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just seven+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including both men's soccer, women's soccer, and women's basketball again in 2018-19. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in spring 2018 and have outpaced their institution's undergraduate student body GPA each of the past 20 semesters. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl in 2017.