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Eagles to face Gators in NCAA

By Staff | Nov 8, 2011

The FGCU women’s soccer team (14-4-2, 7-1-1 A-Sun) learned of its first-round NCAA Championship tournament destination Monday night surrounded by plenty of supporters at the Naples Flatbread restaurant in the Miromar Outlets. The Eagles will face SEC power Florida (16-7, 7-4 SEC) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the opening round in Gainesville.

The Eagles captured their first ever Atlantic Sun Conference Champion-ship Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Mercer. Bishop Verot grad Gina Petracco headed a pass to freshman Shannen Wacker in the 107th minute of double-overtime for the game-winning goal.

The Eagles and Gators are facing each other for the second time this season. The Gators defeated FGCU 5-0 on Sept. 11 in Gainesville. The loss fueled the Eagles to start a streak of nine straight shutouts from Sept. 18 through Oct. 21. The Eagles didn’t allow another goal for 908 minutes before giving up a goal against Belmont on Oct. 23.

The Eagles became the first FGCU team to reach the NCAA tournament since becoming postseason eligible on Aug. 12. The Gators lost in the SEC final losing 3-2 to Auburn. Florida is led by junior Erika Tymrak, who has 12 goals and six assists on the season.

With a league-high 11 shutouts on the season, FGCU is 14-4-2, increasing the program record for single-season wins.