Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University's women's soccer history with Florida Gulf Coast isn't lengthy but it is surely intense. In 10 meetings, the first dates back to the 2007 season, there have been five draws with a total of four goals scored.
In the Dolphins' Atlantic Sun home opener Friday night, the Eagles were again welcomed to Southern Oak Stadium where the pair battled to a 1-1 draw. Both goals were recorded in the opening frame, and with the decision Jacksonville's home unbeaten streak versus FGCU remained intact.
The Eagles outshot JU, 30-8, in the match with half of their attempts on frame. Key to the Dolphins' success was sophomore goalkeeper Sara Wicks who finished the night with a season-high 13 saves.
"Sara did a great job," said Head Coach Brian Copham. "They've got a lot of dangerous attacking players and we knew that a lot of them would be a threat to shoot and try to score. She had to be ready from just about everywhere. I'm very pleased with her control of the box - coming to get balls in the air, handling shoots and organizing everyone in front of her."
Joelle d'Entremont earned the Dolphins a 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute with her first goal of the season. The play began with a cross from the left of the field by Jessica Shaffelburg. As the FGCU keeper attempted to clear the ball, a racing d'Entremont touched it to the right of her for the goal.
In the 33rd minute, Tabby Tindell, the A-Sun's third leading scorer, evened the match at 1-all on an unassisted shot in the box and in the remaining 77 minutes, neither team was able to find the back of the net.
"I'm very proud of the girls' effort tonight," continued Copham. "We knew this was going to be a really good team. They've been the regular season champs a number of times and Coach Blankenship and his staff do a great job. This wasn't going to be easy and I thought our girls played incredibly hard. I'm proud of the fight they had to come out and get a point out of the game from the preseason favorites."
Next Friday, Jacksonville squares off against Lipscomb at 7 p.m. The match kicks off Homecoming Weekend which will conclude Sunday when the Dolphins face NJIT, the A-Sun's newest member, for the first time in program history.
