Less than 48 hours after the Atlantic Sun Conference quarterfinal went through two overtime periods and penalty kicks, Florida Gulf Coast University men's soccer (4-10-3, 3-3-1) fell in the semifinal to North Florida (7-7-3, 4-2-1) 3-0 on Monday.
"We didn't have the start we needed to have and conceded early, digging ourselves a hole," head coach
Jesse Cormier said. "We weren't in it from tne beginning. We had more work than necessary. They took advantage of that rest they had and put us under pressure. I thought we were better in the second half but that third goal was decisive. We made great progress with this team but there is still room to grow. We will work to do what it takes to be the champions of this league."
The Ospreys came out fast and rested, not playing in the Saturday session. Joaquin Acuna took advantage of the rest advantage UNF had over FGCU, scoring in the seventh minute off a cross into the box by cutting in front of the Eagles defender. Acuna would score once more on a bicycle kick for the first-half brace.
The first half was dominated by an Osprey attack that outshot the Eagles 7-2 and 3-0 with shots on target, leading to a 2-0 deficit for FGCU.
The second half started with the Green and Blue pushing for an early goal to bring momentum on a potential comeback but the first goal of the half went to North Florida off a strike from David Perez just inside the 18.
After the UNF lead grew to 3-0, FGCU played much further up the pitch. This pressure led to shots on goal by
Cao Chaves,
Leo Schorr,
Alon Drey, and
Victor Lopes that could not find their way past the keeper. The Eagles would outshoot the Ospreys in the second half, but none found the back of the net.
The story of the Monday night semifinal was the story of the season for FGCU men's soccer. In matches when the Eagles scored, they were unbeaten going 4-0-3. In matches when no goals were scored, the Eagles were 0-10-0. It is the first season since 2018 that no match ended in a 0-0 draw.
"I would like to thank our senior class," Cormier added. "Their growth as young men and leadership was truly remarkable. They've given so much to this program and university community and will go on to change this world."
