Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer exploded for two second-half goals Sunday to sprint past Bellarmine 2-1 in Louisville, Kentucky.
"Proud of the ladies for fighting back the way they did," head coach Jim Blankenship said. "The second half was impressive, and we got three points against a good team."
Trailing 1-0 at the half, Ashley Labbe and Katharina Oelschlaeger stepped up to tie the match in the 52nd minute. Labbe pressured a short goal kick and deflected the ball inside the 18-yard box. Oelschlaeger pounced on the opportunity and put the ball away just inside the near post, her fourth goal of the season.
In the 66th minute, Labbe chased down a long through ball and put a strong strike toward the far post past the Bellarmine keeper, giving FGCU a come-from-behind 2-1 lead. Courtney Corcoran initiated the perfect midfield pass for the assist and eventual game-winner.
Labbe came up with a huge defensive save in the final minute, preserving the Eagles' victory. A late Bellarmine corner opportunity was not properly cleared as the Knights brought the full 11 into the box. A Knight put a foot on the ball past Olivia Molina, who finished with four saves. Labbe was standing at the right place on the goal line to head the ball out.
With the win, FGCU improves to 4-5-1 and 3-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Both teams battled the crossbar and the post in the early going Sunday.
Labbe fired a strong strike in the fourth minute that ricocheted down off the crossbar. From the broadcast perspective, the ball appeared to cross the goal line before it spun back out to the keeper. The officials on site claimed the ball did not cross, therefore no goal was determined.
FGCU tied its season-high shot output with 14, four coming from Labbe.
Eight minutes later, it was Bellarmine's turn as the Knights' scoring chance bounced past a diving Molina and off the post. The match remained scoreless and tied at zero. Bellarmine finally snuck one past Molina in the 32nd minute.
FGCU returns home to host Queens University of Charlotte on Thursday, Oct. 3. Kickoff at Pickering Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
