FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer suffered a 2-1 defeat Thursday against App State at Pickering Field.
"It was a tough night as they (App State) made us pay for a couple of mistakes," FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship said. "Credit to them. They took advantage of it. We had some opportunities in the first half that I thought were really good. They fell back after the two goals and were good enough to hold on. Looking to bounce back on Sunday. It's another opportunity to get better."
The Mountaineers (3-3-2) put the Eagles (1-4) away in just a matter of a minute in the second half. App State snuck its first goal by Eagles' goalkeeper Olivia Molina in the 56th minute and just 24 seconds later before anyone could catch their breath, the Mountaineers struck again to make it 2-0.
The two-goal deficit did not faze Erika Zschuppe. Zschuppe pulled the Eagles within one, 2-1, five minutes later in the 61st minute with her first goal of the season. Maya Henley Buisan and Katharina Oelschlaeger set up the opportunity and were credited with the assists on the play. Zschupppe led the Eagles in goals a season ago with 10.
FGCU tried to use the Southwest Florida heat to its advantage early with constant pressure, but the cool-climate Mountaineers were up to the task.
The Eagles had numerous opportunities in the first to secure a lead. FGCU was gifted a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the 11th minute. Zschuppe fired the free kick shot into the App State wall. The ball ricocheted to Courtney Corcoran's feet whose shot sailed over the crossbar.
In the 18th minute, Zschuppe froze the Mountaineers goalkeeper with a stutter-step at the top of the box, but her shot went wide right. In the 24th minute, Corcoran won a one-on-one battle with the keeper racing toward the near post. Her ensuing shot attempt rolled across the face of the goal and just outside the far post, inches away from giving the Eagles a 1-0 advantage early.
Zschuppe fired her second shot of the day right at the keeper, and Buisan had a great look in the 37th minute, but the match remained deadlocked at zero heading into the half.
The Eagles matched the Mountaineers in total shot attempts with 12. Zschuppe recorded half of the Eagles' shots Thursday, while Lou Martinet trailed Zschuppe with three. FGCU edged App State in corner opportunities 8-6.
FGCU returns to the pitch Sunday, hosting Florida at 1 p.m. at Pickering Field. The match will be streamed on ESPN+. All FGCU students in attendance Sunday will be entered to win a TV giveaway prize.
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.
