Box Score BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory in Boca Raton, Fla., on Thursday over Florida Atlantic. Despite a 1-0 halftime deficit, the Eagles used a pair of second-half tallies from seniors Kendal Gargiula and Erika Zschuppe to storm back for their first come-from-behind win of the season, improving their record to 2-1-0 on the young season.

It was a quick start for FAU on its home field. The Owls recorded a shot and two corner kicks in the first five minutes of the match. In the sixth minute, FAU cracked the scoreboard courtesy of Morgan McDonald's tip-in off a six-yard box scramble following the Owls' third corner kick. 

FAU threatened again with another shot on a one-on-three counterattack just seconds after its goal, but freshman keeper Madara Matrevica responded with a kick save, her first stop of the night to keep the Eagles within one. Over 10 minutes passed without an opportunity for either team, and, when the next one came in the 19th minute for FAU, Matrevica was ready again and made her second stop.

FGCU made its first attempt at the Owls' goal in the 23rd minute. Freshman Ryanne Robinson forced a low stop from FAU keeper Ashley Small. That was the only shot the Eagles mustered in the first half. The Owls ended the first frame with seven tries, three of which were on goal. FAU managed three first-half corners, all in the first six minutes, while FGCU had none.

The second half was a very different story for the Green and Blue. In the 56th minute, Robinson forced a turnover near midfield and threaded a skipping pass into the penalty area for Gargiula, who slotted the ball into the net past a charging keeper to tie the score, 1-1. It was the senior's second goal of the season after posting six last year, the second-best mark on the team. Robinson, meanwhile, picked up her first career assist and point in just her third game.

Less than four minutes later, FGCU took the lead thanks to Erika Zschuppe, the Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Player of the Year. The senior headed a cross from Maya Henley Buisan into the bottom right corner for her team-leading fourth goal of the season to put the Green and Blue ahead 2-1. Zschuppe is the only Eagle to score in all three matches this season. Kate Friday was also credited with an assist in the lead up to the goal, the sophomore's first helper and point of her career in her third match with FGCU after transferring from Xavier.

FAU's next shot on goal came in the 76th minute, 16 minutes after FGCU took the lead, but Matrevica dropped down to make her third save of the match and first of the second half. The freshman was called upon again in the 85th minute to punch away a dangerous cross in the six-yard box. The Eagles successfully defended the ensuing FAU corner and stood strong once more on a 90th-minute FAU free kick from 25 yards, holding on to a 2-1 victory. FGCU was outshot 14-7, but four of its tries were on target compared to three for FAU.

The Eagles (2-1-0, 0-0-0 ASUN) remain both on the road and in-state for their next matchup. FGCU travels to Miami on Sunday for a 6 p.m. contest against Florida International.