FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer outlasted seventh-seeded Austin Peay 3-2 Sunday, scoring three thrilling second-half goals to advance to the ASUN Championship semifinal round.
With the win, third seed FGCU (11-4-4) earned a date with second-seeded Central Arkansas Thursday, Nov. 2 in Nashville, Tennessee.
"Excited for the team and proud of their second half response," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "One word, resilient."
The Eagles faced a 1-0 deficit heading into the break and continued to trail the Governors 64 minutes into the contest before exploding for three second-half strikes.
FGCU scored all three of its goals in a six minute span, starting with Maya Henley Buisan in the 65th minute.
In the 70th minute, Katharina Oelschlaeger drew a foul in the penalty box, setting up Erika Zschuppe to take the kick.
With ice in her veins, the ASUN First Team selection fired the ball past the Austin Peay goalkeeper to break the 1-1 tie and give the Eagles a 2-1 lead, her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Just a minute later, Ashley Labbe answered the call to make it 3-1 one Eagles.
FGCU surrendered an Austin Peay response in the 81st minute as the Governors (5-11-5) pulled back to within one, 3-2. The Eagles' defense settled back and did not allow a shot in the remaining nine minutes of the match.
FGCU outpaced the Govs in shots attempts 16-6, with eight shots on goal. Zschuppe led all Eagles in shots with six.
Olivia Molina snagged one save between the pipes to help preserve the victory. Molina's save put her over the century mark on the season with 100.
