Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer dropped its first conference match of the season Thursday, 2-1 against Eastern Kentucky at Lexington Sporting Club in Lexington, Kentucky.
FGCU falls to 3-5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference with the loss. Only three teams in the conference remained undefeated alongside FGCU heading into today's match. Thursday's victory for the Colonels (5-5-1, 2-1-0 ASUN) marked the first win over the Eagles in four tries.
FGCU matched EKU in total shots (13) and in shots on goal (6), but a tale of two halves got the better of the Eagles as EKU outshot the Green and Blue 8-3 in the second half to eventually produce the game winner. FGCU was just one shot shy of tying its season high.
Courtney Corcoran fired the Eagles' first shot in the opening minute Thursday. Katharina Oelschlaeger let one fly in the third minute as FGCU flexed its offensive pressure early. FGCU recorded five shots in the first 20 minutes of play, three on goal.
In the 23rd minute, FGCU took advantage of a penalty kick opportunity courtesy of Erika Zschuppe. She stepped up and placed the ball top center of the net to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead, her second goal of the season.
Just 15 seconds later, the Colonels responded with an equalizer, tying the match 1-1. The Eagles appeared to settle in after the match-tying goal. Nine minutes go by without either team recording their next shot.
FGCU outpaced EKU 10-5 in total shots heading into the half, but Green and Blue could only get off three in the second half as EKU took control.
Goalkeeper Olivia Molina snatched her third save of the day in the 51st minute and her fourth in the 79th minute to keep the match tied. Molina drew two fouls in a physical game that witnessed a total of 16 fouls called.
Molina could not keep the flood waters back for much longer. EKU scored its game-winner in the 81st minute. Entering Thursday, Molina had produced three consecutive clean sheets – earning herself the ASUN Goalkeeper of the Week nod.
Zschuppe tried to respond in the 84th minute, but her shot attempt was ultimately saved. Eight different Eagles recorded a shot Thursday as Zschuppe paced the team with four. EKU held the ASUN's Preseason Player of the Year Ashley Labbe to zero shots.
FGCU eyes a bounce-back opportunity Sunday against Bellarmine. Kickoff in Louisville, Kentucky, is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
