FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer opened Atlantic Sun Conference play Thursday with a 2-0 victory over North Florida to give head coach
Jim Blankenship career win No. 450.
"In each game, we have made a step at improving, and tonight, I thought the first half was really good against a very good team," coach Blankenship said. "Our players knew the importance of it. You could just tell in the locker room. I've been blessed to have great people around me, great players and great assistants. It's a good moment but not the end. I'm sure I'll look back on it and reflect, but tonight was a good result."
For the fourth straight year, FGCU (2-4-1) has now started league play 1-0.
Katharina Oelschlaeger and
Katelyn Kauffman scored a goal Thursday to lift Blankenship to his career milestone.
Blankenship is the sixth-winningest active Division I women's soccer coach. Under his leadership, FGCU has won the ASUN's regular season or tournament title in 12 out of the last 14 seasons. Blankenship, a five-time ASUN Coach of the Year Selection, has won 10 or more matches in 16 of his 17 seasons at FGCU.
Oelschlaeger scored her third goal of the season Thursday in the 28th minute, getting the Eagles on the board early. FGCU set up for a free-kick opportunity at the top of the 18-yard box.
Erika Zschuppe ran over the ball as a decoy, while
Courtney Corcoran fired off the attempt. The ball rebounded off the Ospreys goalkeeper toward the far post where Oelschlaeger charged in to put it away.
FGCU took a 1-0 lead into the break. The Eagles' offensive attack kept clicking well into the second half, finishing the game with a season-high 14 shots.
Kauffman's powerful strike in the 71st minute made it 2-0 Eagles, her first goal of the season.
Ashley Labbe and
Maya Henley Buisan were credited with the assist on the play. Defensively, FGCU held North Florida to just eight shots. Goalkeeper
Olivia Molina preserved the shutout with two saves, her second clean sheet of the season.
The Eagles travel to Jacksonville on Sunday to face the Dolphins. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
