FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University men's soccer fell to Utah Valley 2-0 on Sunday despite a persistent offensive effort. The Eagles outshot the Wolverines 13-4 and had more than double the corner kicks, but Utah Valley's counterattack led to the deciding two goals.
"We had a game plan that we adhered to early on that we moved away from," head coach
Jesse Cormier said. "There are a few things we have to look at tactically."
The Eagles came out with a high press that can morph into a 4-2-4 when the ball is deep in the offensive half. These tactics were effective on Friday against South Florida, leading to a three-goal game. Utah Valley was able to break through with Omar Yehya getting a brace with goals in the 15th and 62nd minutes on counterattacking opportunities.
FGCU played well to start the match with three shots, two on target, before the Wolverines got an attempt. In the 12
th minute,
Shoki Yoshida put a ball on target that the goalkeeper parried right to
Addrian Knights-Browne, who also put a shot on frame that a Utah Valley defender blocked.
The second half started 1-0 with the Green and Blue pressing for the equalizer. The pressure forced a free kick just outside the 18. Yoshida and
Alon Drey stood over the ball. Yoshida put a ball toward the upper 90 at the near post that was stopped by the Wolverines goalkeeper.
The Wolverines would put away their second goal and fall back defensively, possessing the ball well enough to kill the game and secure the win.
The Green and Blue returns to action on the road against High Point on Sept. 15 before opening conference play against Jacksonville on Sept. 21. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and tickets can be purchased at the link above.
