Sports are back in full swing at FGCU. The action started with an exhibition match on Aug. 6, when the Eagles women’s soccer team hosted the University of Miami Hurricanes at Pickering Field at the FGCU Soccer Complex. After 90 minutes, the Eagles drew with the Hurricanes 0-0.
The days before the match, Hurricane Debby forced the Eagles to cancel numerous practices. Without the critical time to prepare for the exhibition match, FGCU would be on the back foot once the whistle blew to start the match.
After the constant delays, the game originally scheduled for 11 a.m. on Aug. 4 was moved to Tuesday afternoon. The match was split into three 30-minute periods to allow every player to have adequate playing time and rest in the hot and humid conditions.
“When we get delayed or practice gets canceled, I think we take it in a good way,” junior midfielder Erika Zschuppe said. “Let’s rest and recover and then tomorrow, let’s go out now 110% or 120%.”
The aggressive playing style of the Hurricanes’ frontline allowed them to keep the pressure on the Eagles. They could not adapt to Miami’s playing style, which allowed their opponents to control the game’s pace and consistently attack FGCU’s goal through the first period.
After being pushed around for the first third of the game, the Eagles upped their aggression to get to the opponent’s side of the pitch using their midfield. Zschuppe was the dominant force for the green and blue as she had three shots, with one directly on the goal across the next 30 minutes.
The Hurricanes were outshot 2-4 through the second period, which caused them to foul to try to slow down the game’s pace. It was clear that Miami’s early pressure returned to haunt them as they could not keep up with the Eagles entering the latter stages of the match.
“I thought our guys did a phenomenal job keeping them at bay,” FGCU Women’s Soccer Head Coach Jim Blankenship said. “I felt as the game went on, the attack got better and better.”
The Hurricanes’ defense collapsed completely in the final period, as the Eagles played 37% of the period around Miami’s goal box. This dominance was to no avail as the Eagles took five shots over the next 30 minutes, unable to get the ball inside the goalpost.
Although the Eagles ended the game in a draw, they took many positives from it. They kept pace with an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) program, one of the largest in the country, and had them on their heels through the final 45 minutes of the match.
“That’s what our players want,” said Blankenship. “That’s why they’re here. They want those kinds of games because they know those games are going to they’re going to challenge them, going to stretch them, and ultimately, they’re going to make them and the team better.”
The FGCU women’s soccer team returns to Pickering Field on Aug.15. They will play the Florida International University Panthers to begin their season.
