FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer dropped its season opener Thursday, falling 2-1 to FIU at Pickering Field.
"Fortunately, it is non-conference," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "We've got some work ahead of us. The schedule will not get easier, but we are used to that. It's about getting us right for the conference. We have a long way to go, but we have the talent."
The Panthers snapped an 11-match losing streak to the Eagles. Thursday's victory marked FIU's second-ever victory over FGCU. The Eagles entered the all-time series Thursday 13-1-1. The Green and Blue lost its season opener in 2023, but went on to win 12 matches and the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament crown.
FIU set the tone early, firing four shots in the first five minutes of play. Prolonged lighting in the area forced a 30-minute delay in the official start time of the season opener. Both teams were permitted 30 minutes of warm-up time.
Ashley Labbe, the ASUN's Preseason Player of the Year, scored FGCU's first goal of the 2024 season. Labbe picked off a defensive miscue deep in the Panthers territory and won her one-on-one battle, gifting FGCU a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Molina snagged her sixth save of the match in the 39th minute, but FIU produced its equalizer in the 42th minute – forcing a 1-1 tie heading into halftime. Kendal Gargiula's goal was waived off due to an offsides call.
FGCU had opportunities in the second half to reclaim the lead. In the 57th minute, Katharina Oelschlaeger fired a shot that just sailed over the crossbar. Erika Zschuppe, the ASUN Preseason Midfielder of the Year, missed her shot attempt wide with eight minutes to play.
FIU's go-ahead and game-winning strike occurred in the 71st minute, coming off the foot of Nikole Solis. The Panthers recorded 19 shots, while FGCU's offensive attack managed to produce five. With 10 saves on the night, Molina emerged two shy of a career-high between the pipes.
FGCU will shift its focus toward a daunting three-match road slate, at USF, No. 25 Iowa and DePaul. The Eagles travel first to face USF on Sunday, Aug. 25. Kickoff from Tampa, Florida, is set for 1 p.m.
