FORT MYERS, Fla. – Erika Zschuppe scored twice as Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer won the 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title Saturday, defeating Stetson 2-0 on Senior Day at Pickering Field.
"Proud of the ladies and the result," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "Getting to host the tournament was a goal for this group and we're excited to see the effort come to fruition."
The regular season crown is the 11th in program history and the first in three years since an East Division title back in 2021. With the title on Saturday, FGCU will host the ASUN Semifinal rounds and the Championship match in Fort Myers. The Semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7 and the Championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 10. For tickets to the 2024 ASUN Championship, visit HERE.
Second-place Central Arkansas delivered a 2-1 victory over North Alabama an hour before kickoff, solidifying the need for an FGCU win or tie to officially clinch. The Eagles did just that behind a fast start as Zschuppe tallied her eighth goal of the year in the 15 minute.
Kendal Gargiula fed a sprinting Zschuppe with a perfect through ball and the ASUN Preseason Midfielder of the Year put it into the back of the net. FGCU comfortably soared into halftime up 1-0.
Ashley Labbe nearly made it 2-0 Eagles early in the second half with two quality shots, but the Hatters' goalkeeper kept the senior off the board. FGCU outpaced the Hatters in shots 16-5. Eight different Eagles recorded a shot Saturday.
Zschuppe would break through once again in the 69th minute to provide the extra-goal cushion, scoring from about 30 yards out for her team-leading ninth goal of the year. FGCU extended its win streak to eight over the in-state Hatters. The win also pushed the Eagles (10-5-2, 9-1-1 ASUN) into the double-digit win column. Blankenship has now won 10 or more games in 17 of his 18 seasons at FGCU.
Olivia Molina grabbed three saves Saturday for the combined shutout alongside senior goalkeeper Clara Karlsson. Molina (109) is now eight saves away from breaking the program's single-season save mark of 117.
FGCU returns to the pitch Saturday, Nov. 2 for a tuneup match before the ASUN Tournament, hosting the New College of Florida at 1 p.m.
