Women's Soccer Takes Down UNF to Advance to ASUN Semifinals

By Press release submission

Oct 27, 2022

A late goal by graduate Margaret Berry (Holly, Mich.) propelled the #2 FGCU women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over #7 North Florida in the ASUN quarterfinals, Thursday night at Pickering Field. With the win, the Eagles advance to the semifinals on Sunday at 2 p.m. to take on #6 Central Arkansas.

"Hats off to UNF, I thought it was a phenomenal game," said head coach Jim Blankenship. "I'm incredibly proud of our ladies, it was truly a great battle. Both teams went after it and we got a wonderful goal in a scramble and now we get to move on which is what it's all about."

Berry's goal came off a corner kick in the 74th minute after the ball bounced around in front of the net. Initially falling down, Berry got back up and was able to slot the ball past the goalkeeper. It was her second goal of the season, both of which have been game-winners.

Berry was also part of a great back line as she, Leah Scarpelli (Brick, N.J.), Lilly Lakich (Lithia, Fla.), and Libby Helverson (West Des Moines, Iowa) all played the entire 90 minutes and allowed just eight shots, only three of which reached goalkeeper Katie Sullivan (Wheaton, Ill.).

The Eagles were on the attack most of the night, taking 17 shots and earning 10 corner kicks, the second-highest output they have had this season.

The Green and Blue had a few good chances in the first half with two of their best opportunities coming late. In the 37thminute, Erika Zschuppe's( Kirtland, Ohio) shot was saved by Sofia Miliancano before Marla Gaudlitz (Werder, Germany) had her shot in the 45th minute from inside the box also knocked away by Miliancano.

With the game still scoreless in the 66th minute, Grace Paradis (Kingston, N.H.) nearly gave the Eagles the lead as she corralled the ball at the top of the box and had an open look at the goal, but her shot toward the top-right corner went just high.

After Berry gave the Eagles the lead, FGCU's defense stayed strong in the final 16 minutes, allowing just one shot off target.

On Sunday, the Eagles will look to advance to their first ASUN championship game since 2017. FGCU and Central Arkansas played in the final regular-season game just five days ago with the Eagles winning, 2-0, at Pickering Field.