Gulf Coast Edged by Mississippi State

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team fell to Mississippi State 1-0 in the UNF Hampton Inn Ponte Vedra Showcase championship Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville, Fla. A second half Bulldog goal snapped the Eagles five-game win streak.

FGCU falls to 5-3-1 as Mississippi State improves to 8-0 on the season.

Sunday marked the first FGCU loss since they faced Miami on Aug. 25.

“We had some really good opportunities,” said head coach Jim Blankenship.” We played really well but we just couldn’t put one in the net. Both goalkeepers had some amazing saves to keep the game close, but all-in-all I was very pleased with the way we played in this tournament.”

Neither team could find the net in the opening half. FGCU put up six shots but Mississippi State goalkeeper Taryn Holland was able to collect four saves to hold the Eagles scoreless.

Just minutes into the second half, Mississippi State forward Kathleen Walsh netted the game-winner. Walsh took a pass from Madison McKee, beat a pair of FGCU defenders to the end line and landed her team-leading sixth goal into the top of the net.

Despite the Eagles putting up 18 shots in the contest, the Bulldogs defense preserved the shutout with 11 total saves.

Goalkeeper Stephanie Powers (Seffner, Fla.) made seven saves while senior Amber McCall (Fort Myers, Fla.) led the Eagles offense with five shots.

The Eagles open A-Sun conference play on Friday, Sept. 25 at Mercer. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.