FGCU Ties FIU in Double Overtime Thriller

Box Score

Sunday, August 30, 2009
by Chris Perry

MIAMI, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University Women’s Soccer team (0-2-1) and FIU (1-1-1) tied 0-0 in double-overtime on Sunday night at the FIU Soccer Complex.

“We created some really good scoring opportunities,” said FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship. “We created a lot more chances than we did in our two previous games. I was very pleased with the way we played defensively, we kept them at bay but offensively we weren’t able to capitalize.”

 In the tenth minute, sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Powers (Seffner, Fla.) denied FIU’s Deana Rossi’s shot to keep the Golden Panthers from getting on the board early.

The Eagles created a great scoring opportunity in the 13^th minute. Senior midfielder Amber McCall (Fort Myers, Fla.) took the shot for the Eagles but FIU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage came up with the save.

Amber McCall would get another shot off in the 19^th minute, but the shot sailed just wide.

At the half, the Golden Panthers held the advantage in shots 5-2, and both goalkeepers recorded one save apiece.

Just three minutes in the second half, Olivia Elias (Coral Springs, Fla.) fired a great shot but once again FIU goalkeeper Savage came up with a big stop.

The Eagles would create four more great scoring opportunities; the last opportunity came with just three minutes remaining in the second half. Sophomore Branna McCall (Fort Myers, Fla.) got off her first shot on the night but FIU’s Savage was there to make the save. Savage recorded a save on all five of the Eagles scoring opportunities in the second half.

In the first overtime, FIU took the only shot just three minutes in but Powers was there to make the save to record her fifth save of the night.  

In the second overtime, the Eagles almost came away with their first win of the 2009 season. Savage tipped Lindsay Haw's (Palm City, Fla.) shot, but Amber McCall was near the goal line to take a shot of her own. McCall’s shot sailed high over the net and the game ended in the tie.

“Both goalkeepers had an outstanding game,” said Blankenship.”FIU came up with some big saves to keep us out of the net, and Powers made some great saves to keep us in the game.”

In the match, the Eagles put up nine shots, seven on goal, and earned six corners. Powers went the distance, playing 110 minutes and recorded five saves. The Golden Panthers finished with 12 shots, five on goal, and earned four corner kicks. Savage also played all 110 minutes, and recorded seven saves.

Next up, the Eagles return home to host the Embassy Suits Kick-Off Classic on Sept. 4-6 at the FGCU Soccer Complex. The Tournament features Army, Stetson and Tennessee-Martin. The Eagles will face Tennessee-Martin on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.

Embassy Suites Kick-Off Classic

Friday, Sept. 4, 4:30 p.m.                   Stetson vs Army

Friday, Sept. 4, 7:00 p.m.                   Tennessee-Martin vs FGCU

Sunday, Sept. 6, 11:00 a.m.              Tennessee-Martin vs Stetson

Sunday, Sept. 6, 1:30 p.m.                 Army vs FGCU