Ashley Labbe and Katharina Oelschlaeger scored two goals apiece Sunday to lead Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer past DePaul 4-1 in Chicago, Illinois.
"We achieved a fantastic result against a strong opponent on the road," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "I'm thrilled with the progress our team continues to make with each game. This performance should provide a significant boost in confidence for our team."
FGCU (1-3-0) snapped a three-match skid with its first win of the season. DePaul has to look elsewhere for its first win, dropping to 0-4-1 on the year. With the win, coach Blankenship is now one victory away from career win No. 450.
Oelschlaeger got the Eagles on the board first in the 20th minute, putting an end to a two-match scoring drought for the Green and Blue. FGCU turned defense into offense on the play. Erika Zschuppe took the ball away from a DePaul player near midfield and quickly spun upfield. Zschuppe found Oelschlaeger streaking into the box on the right side for her to put the ball away between two defenders toward the left post.
DePaul's would-be equalizer off a set-piece header in the 29th minute was waived off due to offsides.
In the 36th minute, Taylor Thomas helped to keep the Blue Demons off the board by clearing a loose ball deflected by Eagles' goalkeeper Olivia Molina. Molina finished with four saves between the pipes. FGCU soared into the break up 1-0.
Labbe, the Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Player of the Year, needed only 23 seconds in the second half to score her first goal of the day. She left one fly from about 35 yards out, chipping it up and over the keeper toward the far upper 90 of the goal.
DePaul responded with a goal in the 59th minute to pull within one, 2-1, but the Eagles answered in a flash. FGCU extended its lead just 58 seconds later. Deep in their own territory, Labbe fed Oelschlaeger up near midfield. The race was on as Oelschlaeger snuck her second goal past a charging Blue Demons keeper, her first multi-goal game of her career.
Labbe notched her third multi-goal game of her career just six minutes later, in the 66 minute with a laser to make it 4-1. Labbe came inches away from pulling off a hat trick Sunday. In the first half, one of her team-leading four shots was deflected off the left post.
Eight of FGCU's 10 shots were on goal Sunday. Clara Karlsson played the final 11 minutes in goal for the Eagles, recording her first save of the season.
FGCU returns home for a five-match home swing. The Eagles host in-state foe Florida Atlantic on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. for Soccer Bingo Night.
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.
