Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer scored twice in the final five minutes Sunday to defeat Austin Peay 3-1 in Clarksville, Tennessee, and clinched a spot in the Atlantic Sun Conference's Championship field.
"Outstanding performance again today to come back from being down early and secure the three points," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "We showed so much experience, determination and will."
FGCU flexed its road warrior mentality in conference play once again with another come-from-behind victory. On Thursday, FGCU trailed 2-0 at Lipscomb, but ultimately forced a 2-2 draw to earn a much-needed point in the standings. The Eagles also trailed Bellarmine 1-0 back in September, but came soaring back for a 2-1 win and three points.
Sunday's three points kept FGCU in the regular season race alongside Central Arkansas and Eastern Kentucky. Central Arkansas defeated Jacksonville 3-2 to improve to 6-0-2 in league play, earning 20 points atop the standings. In second place now with 19 points, FGCU sits at 6-1-1 in the ASUN.
Lou Martinet scored the game-winner in the 85th minute, her third goal of the season. Kendal Gargiula put the cherry on top just one minute later to lift FGCU to its crucial 3-1 victory. FGCU has scored at least one goal in each of its eight conference games thus far.
Thirteen of the Eagles' 16 shots Sunday came in the second half. FGCU did not register a shot until 13 minutes in. On the flip side, Austin Peay fired double-digit shot attempts in both halves at FGCU goalkeeper Olivia Molina, who snagged 12 saves while facing 25 total shots. Molina's 12 saves Sunday gives herself a conference-leading 98 for the season. She is 19 saves away from breaking her own program single-season save record of 117.
Austin Peay got on the board first in the 21st minute. FGCU responded in the 26th minute courtesy of Maya Henley Buisan. FGCU sent a long cross from the right side over everyone's head and then sent one right back toward the other side of the field. The ball eventually landed at Judith Eklund's feet who then fed Buisan in the box. Buisan put a right-footed flick on the outside of her boot past the keeper to tie the match and shift the momentum, her first goal of the season before Martinet and Gargiula iced it away.
FGCU returns to Fort Myers on Thursday to host North Alabama. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. For tickets, purchase online
HERE or at the gate. Single-game tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for military and youth (ages 4-12). For groups of 10 or more, tickets start at $6. FGCU students, faculty and staff are free with a valid Eagle I.D.
