In their second ASUN Conference Championship matchup with the Bears, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles once again knocked the UCA women’s soccer team out of the semifinals and went on to win the entirety of the championship off a penalty shootout against the North Alabama Lions. 

The Nov. 2 semifinals game ended the Bears’ season, with a final score of 2-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

UCA came onto the pitch with high energy, producing an even amount of possession between the team and the Eagles. 

The first half saw the Bears take seven shots to the Eagles’ 13, beginning with an early chance by freshman midfielder Megan Moudy. UCA continued creating chances, with back-to-back shots from junior forward Anna Kerr, sophomore forward Trace Pavatt and junior midfielder Kelly Van Gundy. 

Although the Bears couldn’t follow through on their offensive chances, the Eagles were just revving up.

Just 22 minutes in, FGCU’s sophomore forward Kendal Gargiula landed the first goal of the game. After a few substitutions from UCA coach Jeremy Bishop, the Bears just couldn’t find that offensive sweet spot after the goal.

Only one shot was made by a UCA player in the remainder of the first, with redshirt sophomore and defender Allyson Kamper marking her first shot in conference play this season.

UCA goalkeeper and junior Kajsa Pruner stepped up to the plate, however. As the Bears struggled to make chances and maintain possession, Pruner defended a barrage of shots from Eagles players.

In the final 14 minutes of the first half, the Eagles made eight shots, with three on goal that Pruner swatted away from the Bears’ net.

The second half was almost entirely played on the Bears’ side of the pitch, as the team struggled to hold onto the ball against an increasingly offensive FGCU.

The Bears only managed four shots in the second half, to the Eagles’ 13, with shots from Van Gundy, Pavatt, Moudy and graduate student midfielder Sydney Brough.

Pruner saved five shots, marking a season-high of nine total saves in a match. Despite Pruner’s focus, the Eagles managed to break through once more with a shot by FGCU’s junior midfielder Ashley Labbe in the 75th minute.

FGCU coach Jim Blankenship said the team had “an amazing and phenomenal team effort,” on fgcuathletics.com.

“I thought we got better as the game went on. Defensively, the group was outstanding and attacking-wise, we were able to create some wonderful chances. Ashley was on a different level for us. I’m proud of this group and happy to see them get back to the final.”

The Bears were unable to equalize the match, and FGCU advanced to the finals against the North Alabama Lions.

In a final send-off for the Bears’ season, sophomore forward Trace Pavatt wrote on Instagram, “The most bittersweet ending to the best season. I thank God every day for where he has put me. I couldn’t love this team or this sport more.”

EAGLES’ WIN

The Eagles’ finals performance looked troublesome in the first half of the Nov. 5 match, as the team faced off against the No. 4 ranked North Alabama Lions.

The Lions created a 3-0 deficit in the first, not allowing the Eagles any goals. The Lions outshot the Eagles 7-4, but the team’s lead did not last.

FGCU sophomore midfielder Erika Zschuppe grabbed the team’s first goal of the match 64 minutes in. Although equalizing the score looked like an uphill battle, the Eagles were quick to ride the momentum of their first goal.

Just two minutes later, Zschuppe grabbed another goal, bringing the score to 3-2, the Lions barely holding onto their lead. 

Zschuppe wasn’t done yet, and she made quick work of the Lions’ goalkeeper, who appeared increasingly frustrated with her team. In the 78th minute, Zschuppe grabbed her third goal of the match and equalized the score.

Even with two overtime sets, neither team pulled out a scoring victory, and the match went to penalty shootouts. 

The Eagles took the lead quickly in the shootout, and eventually won off a missed shot from Lions’ graduate midfielder Izzi Gurney-Harper.

FGCU will now advance to the NCAA women’s soccer championships and will face off against Texas Tech at 7 p.m., Nov. 10.