Women’s Soccer Drops League Opener to FGCU, 2-0

Thursday, September 14

Jacksonville, Fla.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

2-4-2, 0-1-0

FGCU

4-4-1, 1-0-0

FGCU

North Florida

Photo by: Noah Thomas

9/15/2023 12:09:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Goetz Makes First Start, 23 Ospreys See the Pitch

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's soccer put up a valiant effort, but came up short against FGCU (4-3-1, 1-0-0), 2-0, in the Atlantic Sun (2-4-2, 0-1-0) Thursday, Sept. 14

FGCU and UNF were even through the first 17 minutes before the Eagles got the first of two tactical goals on the evening. The Eagles were able to put the game away in the 65th minute after Erika Zschuppe scored a long distance effort from a throw-in.

FGCU 2, UNF 0

Goals
18' | Gargiula (Zschuppe) - FGCU
65' | Zschuppe (Mendenhall) - FGCU

Inside the Match

First Half: Both sides created plenty of chances in the opening minutes … the first four combined opportunities of the contest came from Erika Zschuppe of FGCU and UNF's Zara Siassi who was the target of two free kicks … the Eagles broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Zschuppe connected with Kendal Gargiula who hooked a shot inside the near post … the Ospreys immediately piled the pressure on FGCU in search of an equalizer … Bella Pontieri ripped a shot from distance in the 38th minute forcing a save, the first of two good opportunities off her foot.
Second Half: UNF started the second half brightly as Sophia Goetz saw a shot blocked from a free kick … minutes later Lauren Weiss found Jersi Dadah down the right side who had a left-footed effort sail just over the crossbar … the second period saw 14 fouls between the two sides, totaling 23 throughout the affair … FGCU extended its lead in the 65th minute after Zschuppe was found on a throw in ... Zschuppe sailed a lofting shot off the left post and in.

Leaders By the Numbers
UNF

Bella Pontieri | 3 shots , 1 shot on goal
Sophia Goetz | 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Three players | 2 shots apiece
Sarah Barrentine | 90 minutes, 3 saves

FGCU

Erika Zschuppe | 1 goa, 1 assist, 4 shots, 2 shots on goal
Kendal Gargiula | 1 goal, 1 shot on goal
Katelyn Kauffmann | 4 shots, 1 shot on goal
Olivia Mina | 90 minutes, 3 saves

Postgame Comments

.@CoachEFaulconer follows up after the ASUN opener in our home stand finale vs. FGCU #SoarHigher pic.twitter.com/ugZWaAKIak
— UNF Women's Soccer (@OspreyWSOC) September 15, 2023

Notes

Sophia Goetz made her first start as an Osprey
Head coach Eric Faulconer sent 23 Ospreys to the pitch
Zara Siassi was the only non-keeper to go the full 90 minutes. She has the most minutes played out of any Osprey with 617 on the season.
UNF outshot FGCU 7-6 in the second half
Bella Pontieri now paces the team in shots with nine
North Florida hosted FGCU for the first time since Mar. 13, 2021
Both teams combined for 28 total shots
Sarah Barrentine, along with six other Ospreys, have started all eight contests