FGCU Plays JU to Tie

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU women’s soccer team and Jacksonville fought through 110 minutes of soccer, yet neither team was able to pull out a victory as the clash of second place teams ended in a 1-1 double overtime tie on Friday afternoon at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

The Eagles move to 8-4-2 (3-1-1 A-Sun) while the Dolphins sit at 6-6-1 (3-1-1 A-Sun) on the season. “I’m really pleased with our effort,” said FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship.”We controlled much of the match and JU came up with some big plays to keep us out of the net, especially late in the game.”

The Eagles dominated the shot category, firing 19 shots to the Dolphins nine. FGCU also had a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.

The Eagles first opportunity came in the 17th minute as Stacey Payne (Coral Springs, Fla.) fired a shot from 25-yards out that sailed just high of the crossbar.

FGCU put up six more shots before Lindsay Haw (Palm City, Fla.) recorded her first goal of the season. Ashley Ciesielcczyk (Oregon, Ohio) dribbled through a couple defenders to find Amber McCall (Fort Myers, Fla.) at the top of the box. McCall settled the ball and found Haw near the left post who chipped it over a diving Alexa Rooney to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute.

The Dolphins evened the score just nine minutes later after Liz Fink sent a cross from the right wing that found Becca Massip 6-yards out for the easy goal.

After 90 minutes of play, the score remained 1-1 as the Eagles entered their second overtime match of the season.

Six minutes in the first overtime, Payne got an open look and fired a shot at an empty net but JU’s Arianne Heaton came up with diving save that eventually pushed the match into double overtime.

In the second overtime, the Eagles collected four shots but weren’t able to find the net as neither team could muster a shot on goal.

JU goalkeeper Alexa Rooney finished the match with six saves and played in all 110 minutes. The Dolphins were led offensively by Massip who recorded three shots, two on goal.

FGCU goalkeeper Stephanie Powers (Seffner, Fla.) also played in all 110 minutes, recording six saves. Four Eagles finished with three or more shots with Katie Donnellan (Lake Mary, Fla.) leading the way with four shots.

The Eagles stay at home as they host conference foe North Florida on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the FGCU Soccer Complex.