MIAMI (Sept. 3, 2014) – The FIU women's soccer team (2-3) dropped a 2-0 decision to the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Wednesday night.
"We both saw some quality looks," said Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt. "They were able to capitalize on theirs, but we'll learn from this and come out ready on Friday."
The Eagles took an early 1-0 lead in the seventh minute of play. Her fourth goal of the season, Tabby Tindell beat the keeper one-on-one on a ball inside the box, which was placed in the upper left side of the net.
Senior forward and Senior CLASS Award candidate Ashleigh Shim just missed connecting with her third goal in the 23rd minute. Off a corner from junior Madlen Weinhardt, Shim's header fell just wide of the post, preserving a 1-0 Eagle lead.
Redshirt junior defender Marie Egan had several key defensive step-ups in the first 45 minutes, preventing the Eagles from penetrating into FIU's defending third of the field.
The Panthers' freshmen provided a spark coming off half time, as Paula Quintero and Courtney Phillips both peppered the Eagles' goal with quality balls. Quintero continued to apply pressure and just missed a goal one minute later on a shot that rolled wide.
Redshirt sophomore Shelby Bowden blasted a ball just wide minutes after Florida Gulf Coast pulled ahead, 2-0. On a ball served into the middle by Egan, Bowden was able to juke her defender, but the ball landed inches from the inside of the net.
Freshman Gabbrialla Bovo made her collegiate debut, contributing 26 minutes in the effort. Despite the outcome, the Panthers provided strong pressure to the Eagles backline all game, besting Florida Gulf Coast in shots, 9-8, and shots on goal, 3-2.
FIU returns to action on Friday at 5 p.m., as the Panthers play host to the Murray State Racers. As part of a doubleheader, the FIU men's soccer team will open its home campaign following the women. Both games will be at the FIU Soccer Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUWomensSoccer) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWSoccer) for all the latest FIU women's soccer news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports, and is a proud member of Conference USA. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and the FIU Football Stadium.
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is worlds ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission and enrolls nearly 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. More than 140,000 alumni live and work in South Florida. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.
