CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision on the road against Atlantic Sun Conference foe Queens on Thursday evening. The loss moved FGCU’s overall record to 4-4-1 and 1-1-0 in ASUN play.

The Eagles’ Megan Morgan had the first shot of the match in the fourth minute, but it was blocked before it could get to the net. Two minutes later, the Royals got on the board courtesy of Tamia Ford. The forward’s sixth minute tally gave Queens a 1-0 lead and was the Royals’ quickest goal in a match this season.

 

The Eagles threatened but could not answer on the scoreboard throughout the remainder of the first half. FGCU took 12 shots in the opening frame, five of which were on goal, while Queens managed only one more after Ford’s score. Lily Borders had an attempt stopped by the Royals’ Hannah Dike-Lawlor in the 13th minute, Elena Hinkson in the 18th minute, Kendal Gargiula in the 22nd, and Lexie Bennet in the 30th before Borders had an opportunity from the penalty spot in the 40th minute.

 

The sophomore had her attempt saved in the bottom left corner of the net by Dike-Lawlor, and Borders’ rebound attempt was blocked by a Queens defender, sending the Royals into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

 

The second frame began with no shots for either team across the first 10 minutes. Morgan and Maya Henley Buisan each had an opportunity with a shot each on a scramble in the 55th minute, but both of their shots were blocked. The first shot on goal of the half came from Keira Morgan for the Eagles in the 65th minute, but it was saved, as were two more consecutive attempts from FGCU in the 67th minute, one by Kate Friday and one by Keira Morgan.

 

Eagles’ goalkeeper Madara Matrevica made her only save of the night in the 80th minute in the bottom right corner of her net to keep FGCU within one goal. Bennett had two more attempts for the Eagles in the final 10 minutes, but could not score. Despite plenty of pressure, FGCU did not manage to break through and Ford’s 6th minute tally held up for Queens. The Green and Blue finished the match with 19 shots, nine of which were on goal. The Royals managed just four tries and put only two on net.

 

FGCU returns to action and continues ASUN play on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Carrollton, Ga. against West Georgia. The Eagles and Wolves have played just once before, a 5-0 FGCU victory in Fort Myers last year.

 

 

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