Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer opened ASUN play with a 3-0 victory over Queens on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Pickering Field in Fort Myers. FGCU outshot the Queens Royals 29-1, including a 15-0 advantage in the first half. The victory extended FGCU’s unbeaten streak to six matches and improved its record to 4-1-3.
FGCU earned three points on the opening night of conference play and moved into an early ASUN standings lead alongside Stetson. Queens fell to 1-7-1. The result also gave FGCU its eighth clean sheet in its last 11 regular-season home games.
FGCU builds early lead
FGCU created its first scoring chance 33 seconds into the match, when Taylor Latini’s cross found Keira Morgan for a shot on goal. Queens saved the attempt, but FGCU took the lead less than three minutes into the match when Morgan found Kate Friday 25 yards from goal.
Friday’s strike found the back left corner for her first goal of the season. Kaitlin Gabelman then doubled the lead in the eighth minute with a left-footed strike after FGCU forced a turnover. The goal was Gabelman’s team-leading fourth of the season.
FGCU continued to control the attacking third throughout the first half. Avery White created a chance for Riley Acosta in the 14th minute, and Acosta later created an opportunity for Taylor Latini in the 29th minute, but both attempts were stopped.
FGCU held a 15-0 shot advantage at halftime and earned all four corner kicks in the opening period. Queens did not record a shot before the break.
Morgan adds third goal
Hanna Phillips appeared to score four minutes into the second half, but the goal was called back because of a foul in the box. Ryanne Robinson then hit the crossbar with a shot in the 52nd minute as FGCU continued to pressure the Queens defense.
FGCU finally added its third goal in the 58th minute. Taylor Latini assisted Keira Morgan, who scored into the corner for her first goal of the season and extended Latini’s point streak to four consecutive matches.
Queens recorded its first shot in the 60th minute, but Madara Bome made the save to preserve FGCU’s shutout. Bome played into the 82nd minute, and Danyelle Dorn finished the match for FGCU.
Megan Morgan and Ava Russell each recorded a shot on goal in the 70th minute, but both attempts were saved. FGCU finished with a 29-1 shot advantage and held its 3-0 lead through the final 20 minutes.
FGCU continues balanced scoring
Gabelman remained FGCU’s team leader with four goals, while Friday and Morgan recorded their first goals of the season. The goals gave FGCU 10 different goal scorers through its first eight games.
Latini’s assist on Morgan’s goal extended her point streak to four matches and tied her with Morgan atop the ASUN leaderboard with four assists. Morgan finished with one goal and one assist.
FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship praised the team’s start after the 12-day break between matches. “I thought our pressure was phenomenal tonight, really proud of the way we came out ready to go right off the bat after 12 days off” FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship said.
Blankenship said the team must quickly turn its attention to the next conference opponent. “This is a great way to start conference play, now we need to refocus and be ready for another quality opponent at home on Sunday.”
West Florida next at Pickering Field
FGCU will host ASUN newcomer West Florida at Pickering Field on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. West Florida will bring a 4-1-1 record to the match.
The match will be FGCU’s second consecutive home game to open conference play. FGCU enters the contest with a six-match unbeaten streak, a 3-0 conference-opening win and an early standings lead alongside Stetson.
FSB Take
FGCU established control immediately in its ASUN opener, scoring twice in the first eight minutes and limiting Queens to one shot. The 29-1 shot margin, three-goal performance and eighth clean sheet in the last 11 regular-season home games provided a strong start to conference play. West Florida now awaits at Pickering Field on Sunday.
Source: Original report