NEWARK, N.J. – The second-seeded FGCU men's soccer team (9-8-2) were edged by the top-seeded NJIT Highlanders (10-4-4), 2-1, Saturday night at Mal Simon Stadium in the ASUN final championship match.

"I thought we played a very good first half. We had good balance, attacked well and defended intelligently," said head coach Jesse Cormier. "The second half was a little different. We stopped doing the small things, lost our way in the final 15 minutes and NJIT took advantage. Regardless, I'm proud of our seniors. They all grew a tremendous amount and I know they will do great things after graduation. They're all highly gifted, driven and understand how to be successful. Our returning group understands what it takes and will need to be highly committed to getting back to this game and finishing the job next year."

It was a back and forth battle between the Eagles and the Highlanders in the first half. FGCU launched eight shots in the first period with four coming on target. The final shot on frame came off the left boot of Noah Bushey (Spokane, Wash./New Mexico) with 12 seconds remaining in the first half that turned into his first goal of the season. Titouan Le Menec (Guipavas, France/Bluefield) saved the ball from becoming a goal kick, he then served it to Bushey who turned around and fired a shot that found the top-left corner. It was Le Menec's first assist of the year.

In the second period, FGCU fired off seven shots with four coming on frame. Two of those on target shots came within the first 20 minutes before NJIT found the equalizer in the 70th. Connor Gavigan (Aurora, Colo./Creighton) made a spectacular one-handed saved but the rebound found the foot of Alejandro Rabell. The Eagles served up two more chances looking for the extra cushion but both shots were denied in the 74th and 81st minutes of action.

The Highlanders found the back of the net soon after in the 86th minute as they held on for the 2-1 victory.

Ivan Rosales (Houston, Texas/San Jacinto) led FGCU with five shots (three on frame) as the squad outshot NJIT 15-12 (eight on frame). Gavigan secured a season-high six saves in the losing effort.

Thomas Delplace, Shak Adams, O'Vonte Mullings and Rosales were named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the match.

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 third 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 26-19-7 (.567) record overall, including a 13-3-2 mark (.778) in ASUN play. The Eagles have reached the ASUN Tournament semifinals for nine-straight seasons (every year of eligibility), as Cormier has coached 23 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 140-108-54 (.553) record as a head coach in his fifteen plus seasons at the helm.

ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 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.