Michigan Unable to Overcome First-Half Deficit in Loss to Florida Gulf Coast

Sunday, September 2

Fort Myers, Fla.

1:00 PM

Michigan

3-3-0

Florida Gulf Coast

4-0-0

Michigan

FGCU

Sarah Stratigakis

Michigan Unable to Overcome First-Half Deficit in Loss to Florida Gulf Coast

9/2/2018 4:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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By: Megan McIntosh

» Michigan fell 3-2 to FGCU in its second road match of the season.
» Sophomore Sarah Stratigakis scored her third goal of the season to rank second on the team.
» Katie Foug earned her first point of the season, assisting on the Stratigakis goal.
» Michigan will return to U-M Soccer Stadium on Friday against Central Michigan.

Site: Fort Myers, Fla. (FGCU Soccer Stadium)
Score: FGCU 3, Michigan 2
Records: U-M (3-3-0), FGCU (4-0-0)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Sept. 7 -- vs. Central Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 5 p.m.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team fell, 3-2, to host Florida Gulf Coast Sunday (Sept. 2) at FGCU Soccer Stadium. All five goals came during the first 45 minutes of play as the second 45 minutes saw both teams take six shots each.

Sophomore Sarah Stratigakis led Michigan with the only goal credited to a Wolverine in the match as the first tally was an own goal by Florida Gulf Coast. Junior Katie Foug tallied her first point of the season as she assisted on Stratigakis' goal in the first half. Sophomore Nicki Hernandez had a good look on a header in the second half and appeared to have scored the game-tying goal, but it was called back due to a late offside call from the referees.

Sophomore Izzy Nino took the loss in net as the game-winner came on a penalty kick in the first half. Nino made back-to-back saves for the Maize and Blue in the second half when she made a diving save on the second penalty kick of the match and grabbed the save on the rebound to keep Michigan within one.

Holly Fritz led the Eagles, scoring FGCU's first goal of the afternoon and providing the game-winning tally on a penalty kick in the late stages of the first half, while Evdokia Popadinova scored the second goal of the match. Melissa Weck earned the win in goal, making six saves and allowing two goals.

Michigan opened the scoring when an Eagles miscue would end in an own goal to give the Wolverines an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute of play. FGCU evened the score in the 16th minute on a Fritz header off a set piece.

The Eagles took their first lead of the match when a Michigan foul proved costly. Popadinova sailed a free kick into the upper-left corner of the net, allowing FGCU to take a 2-1 lead with under 10 minutes to play in the half.

U-M continued to pressure the FGCU backline when it sent the ball up the field and worked its way into the 18-yard box. Foug found the ball on the right side of the box and crossed it in front to a breaking Stratigakis, who tapped it into the lower half of the net to knot the score at 2.

For the second time in the match, a Michigan foul would turn into a FGCU goal. The Eagles were awarded a penalty kick that was successful, and gave Florida Gulf Coast a 3-2 lead at the half. Nino kept the Maize and Blue within striking distance when she saved both a penalty kick attempt and the rebounded shot in the 63rd minute of the match, but Michigan continued to trail the Eagles, 3-2.

Michigan thought it found the equalizer in the 70th minute of the match, but a late offside call called the goal back, allowing Florida Gulf Coast to maintain the 3-2 advantage. Neither team was able to find a goal in the second 45 minutes of action as FGCU secured the victory.