FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer earned a point against Florida on Sunday, forcing a 0-0 draw at Pickering Field.
"I'm proud of our players and the effort they put into it," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "It's our first shutout. As we have been saying in the last couple of games, everything has been trending upward. I feel like we are getting better and better. Today against a quality team, it was good. We got stretched out and had opportunities. All you can ask for is that effort. There is a lot we can build from this."
Sunday's match marked the first time in program history that FGCU has held the Gators scoreless in a match. Entering today's match, FGCU was 0-7 all-time against the Gators. The clean sheet also marked the first of the season for the Green and Blue. The Eagles officially close its non-conference slate 1-4-1 overall heading into Atlantic Sun Conference action next Thursday.
FGCU had a golden opportunity in the first half courtesy of Kendal Gargiula, looking for her first goal of the season. In the 28th minute, Gargiula cut off and stole a backline Gators pass and charged toward the goal for a one-on-one attempt with the keeper.
Gargiula took the ball and forced the keeper to the near post. She took a shot across her body trying to sneak the ball low and toward the open far post. The ball rolled across the face of the goal and missed wide left by just a few feet. On the backside of the play, Katharina Oelschlaeger could not get to the ball in time to redirect a wide-open goal, and the match remained scoreless.
Olivia Molina made a diving save in the 34th minute to keep the Gators off the board. Molina corralled five saves in the second half to keep Florida scoreless and to produce her first clean sheet of the season. Entering Sunday, Molina led the conference in saves with 43 and ranked 18th overall in the nation in the category. Her 8.60 saves per game ranked third in the country.
In the final minutes, Ashley Labbe played a long ball up and over the Gators' backline. Gargiula and the Gators goalkeeper collided at the top of the box, both making an attempt at the ball. No foul or card was awarded. Florida rolled out two keepers Sunday, Alexa Goldberg and Paloma Pena both recorded a save.
Florida out-shot the Eagles 17-4. Lou Martinet led all Eagles with two shots. The Eagles showed better ball possession and applied pressure through a pushing backline, consequently called for five offsides penalties with three coming in the first half.
FGCU opens ASUN play on Thursday at home against North Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Blankenship is eyeing career win No. 450.
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.
