LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer team clinched a spot in the ASUN Tournament Thursday with a 1-0 victory at Bellarmine University.
"Proud of the ladies," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "Hard fought win on the road, and was impressed with us defensively against a dynamic Bellarmine team. Scoring early and being able to close out the game was important as we came forward."
FGCU (9-4-3, 6-1-2 ASUN) has now qualified for the ASUN Tournament in 13 consecutive seasons. Clinching a postseason berth was not the only highlight in Thursday's win.
Freshman goalkeeper Olivia Molina broke FGCU's single-season save record. Entering the match, Molina needed only four saves to set the record. She snagged seven saves between the pipes to top Brittany Brown's long-standing record of 85. Molina has two regular season games left to add to her 89 saves on the year.
The Eagles had some help in the win over the Knights. Just 1:54 into the match, FGCU got on the board courtesy of an own goal by Bellarmine.
Kendal Gargiula redirected a crossball from Ashley Labbe, and the ball was initially saved by the keeper only to ricochet off a nearby Knight back into the goal.
FGCU could not find the back of the net the rest of the way despite the Eagles edging the Knights in shots, 15-14 with six on goal. Six different Eagles recorded a shot Thursday. Labbe led all Eagles in shot attempts with five.
Molina's quickness in goal preserved her eighth clean sheet of the season, picking up a huge save with 25 minutes to play.
The Eagles have now either won or tied in their last six matches. FGCU returns to the pitch Sunday to continue its final road swing of the regular season at Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for noon.