FGCU Falls to Belmont

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite putting up double digits in the shot category, the Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team fell to Belmont 2-0 Friday afternoon in the A-Sun Game of the Week.

“I was really pleased with our effort this afternoon,” said head coach Jim Blankenship.”We controlled much of the match but Belmont made the best of their opportunities. I give a lot of credit to Belmont’s goalkeeper, she came up with some great saves to keep us out of the net.”

With the loss, the Eagles fall to 8-5-3 (3-2-2 A-Sun) as the Bruins improve to 8-5-2 (5-1-1 A-Sun).

In the 24th minute senior Annie Musacchio had a wide open shot at the net but Stephanie Powers (Seffner, Fla.) was able to come away with the save.

FGCU turned up the offensive heat in the 35th minute, logging back-to-back shots by Ashley Ciesielczyk (Oregon, Phio) and Jess Swartzentruber (Sarasota, Fla.)  but Belmont’s goalkeeper Sari Lin came away with two saves.

Eight minutes later, the Eagles rallied again with three consecutive shots but Lin was able to bat two of the attempts up and over the net for saves.

In the first half, the Eagles recorded 12 shots as Bruins goalkeeper Sari Lin come up with seven saves to keep the Eagles scoreless.

After 52 minutes of scoreless soccer, passes from senior Elizabeth Bublis and sophomore Gretchen Sutch aided junior Erica Carter in notching the first goal of the game.

With less than nine minutes left in regulation, Belmont found the net once again. Jessica Rix took the free kick for the Bruins after an Eagle foul in the 82^nd minute. Rix found Carter, and Carter buried the shot for her second goal of the game.  

FGCU collected 17 shots on the night, this marks the 10^th match this season that the Eagles put up double digits in the shot category.  

In the match, Lin came up with 12 saves as Elizabeth Bublis, Gretchen Sutch and Jessica Rix recorded assist.

Powers finished with two saves, both in the first half. Five Eagles recorded multiple shots as Ashley Ciesielczyk set a career high with three shots, three on goal, and Jessica Swartzentruber tied a season high four shots.   

The Eagles continue conference play as the travel to Lipscomb on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1:00 p.m. FGCU holds 1-0-1 all-time record against Lipscomb, as the teams played to 1-1 tie last season.