Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer silenced second-seeded Central Arkansas 2-0 Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee, to advance to its ninth Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament championship match appearance.
"An amazing and phenomenal team effort," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "I thought we got better as the game went on. Defensively, the group was outstanding and attacking-wise, we were able to create some wonderful chances. Ashley was on a different level for us. I'm proud of this group, and happy to see them get back to the final."
FGCU (12-4-4) moves on to face fourth-seeded North Alabama in the title game Sunday at 2 p.m. CST. The Lions upset top-seeded Lipscomb 1-0. FGCU defeated North Alabama 1-0 on the road earlier this season.
FGCU is 7-1 all-time in the championship match and will make back-to-back appearances for the first time since the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The Tennessee chill did not faze the red-hot Eagles. FGCU's offense pushed the tempo early and often Thursday. The Green & Blue fired 26 shots, producing 11 on goal.
FGCU is now 9-1-3 in its last 13 matches and 7-0-3 since its heartbreaking regular season loss at Central Arkansas.
ASUN First Team selection Kendal Gargiula shocked everyone, including herself, in the 22nd minute with a brilliant header for her eighth goal of the season. Fellow ASUN First Team member Ashley Labbe added an insurance goal in the 75th minute to make it 2-0 Eagles.
Labbe recorded a career-high and a single-match program record 13 shots on the night, with eight on goal.
Freshman goalkeeper Olivia Molina produced her tenth shutout of the year, snagging four diving saves to gift-wrap an Eagles win for coach Blankenship's birthday.
