FORT MYERS, Fla. - An Eagles goal within the last eight minutes of play proved to be the difference maker as Florida Gulf Coast University defeated the University of Tampa 4-3 Thursday at Pickering Field.
 
Overall, FGCU had 18 shots with seven on goal, while Tampa had 14 shots with seven on target. 
  
"UT is a quality team," head coach Jesse Cormier said. "They are well-coached and are a good representation of what we have ahead on our schedule. We had some good moments and opportunities but lost a bit of our identity at times and resorted to tactics we are not as familiar with in situations, which created confusion. We have to build trust and faith in our way and be unafraid to express ourselves. Big opportunity for us to grow today."
 
The Eagles wasted no time as senior Alejandro Lopez delivered the match's first goal, assisted by graduate forward Gustavo Ferrari at 5:39. 
 
The Trojans responded four minutes later as Theo Maye took the shot and tied the match 1-1. 
 
Defense showed up for both teams during the next 27 minutes, but the Eagles extended its lead with a pair of familiar faces. The roles would be reversed from the first goal as Lopez connected with Ferrari, who buried the ball in the bottom right side of the net for a 2-1 lead.
 
Sophomore Pau Santanach placed the match out of reach for a moment in the second half as he took a shot and stunned UT's goalkeeper to give the Eagles a 3-1 advantage. 
 
Tampa earned an opportunity to get back in the game with a penalty kick that closed the gap to just one goal at the 70th-minute mark. 
 
DeJa'Vu occurred moments later for the Eagles goalkeeper Wyatt Kistner as the Trojans were granted another penalty kick due to a foul within the penalty area. Kistner could not stop the powerful shot, and UT once again tied the game 3-3. 
 
With just eight minutes remaining in the game, the Green & Blue earned its own penalty kick. Tampa's goalkeeper blocked Jaffer Murphy's shot, but Anthony Gagliardi II responded with a rebound and scored the game-winning goal.   
 
FGCU will return to action Sunday, August 20, as the Eagles host Palm Beach Atlantic University for its final exhibition match at Pickering Field. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.