FORT MYERS, Fla. – Lou Martinet provided the game-winner Sunday against Central Arkansas to propel Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer into sole possession of first place.
"We gave up one early, and fortunately, our team is pretty resilient and we battled back," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "I thought the second half was really good from us. They (UCA) are very dangerous with counterattacks and our girls did a good job of getting back. It just was a great team effort. You could see the importance of it to them."
Entering the match, FGCU needed to win or tie to even have a chance at the regular season title. The Eagles did just that, defeating Central Arkansas 2-1. The Green and Blue did not clinch the regular season crown Sunday but took control of their own destiny by jumping ahead of UCA by two points with one game remaining.
FGCU still must defeat or tie Stetson on Senior Day next Saturday to clinch the regular season title and host the 2024 ASUN Tournament Semifinals and Championship match at Pickering Field. FGCU has won the ASUN regular season or tournament title in 12 out of the last 14 seasons, the last regular season crown coming in 2021 with an East Division title.
The Eagles fell behind early on Sunday, surrendering a goal in the 10th minute. Erika Zschuppe would soon draw a penalty kick in the 25th minute and slotted away the equalizer, her team-leading seventh goal of the season. The match remained tied at one heading into the break.
Maya Henley Buisan and Katharina Oelschlaeger fired two tremendous shot attempts at the UCA keeper in the second half, before Martinet was finally able to put one home in the 63rd minute. Just moments after a corner opportunity, Martinet sent a low powerful strike through a crowded box that missed everyone toward the far post, beyond an outstretched keeper and into the back of the net – her second game-winner of the year.
Ashley Labbe and Emma Badger were credited with the assist on the play. Labbe sent in the corner, while Badger headed the ball out toward the top of the 18-yard box, where Martinet awaited.
Central Arkansas was forced to substitute out its starting goalkeeper midway through the first half due to suffering a lower-body injury. FGCU seized the golden opportunity with second-half pressure and outshot the Bears 25-8 for the match. Both Buisan and Oelschlaeger recorded five shots to lead the way offensively for the Eagles.
In goal for FGCU, Olivia Molina tacked on three saves to give herself 106 on the season. Molina is inching closer to the program's single-season save record of 117. She is now just 12 saves away from breaking that record, a mark in which she set as a freshman a season ago.
FGCU closes out the regular season with championship aspirations next Saturday versus Stetson. Kickoff for Senior Day is scheduled for 5 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.
