Box Score FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jacksonville's men's soccer team (1-4-0, 0-1-0 ASUN) suffered a close 2-0 loss against FGCU (1-4-1, 1-0-0 ASUN), to open up ASUN Conference play on the road. The Eagles held a solid offense on its home turf to defeat the Dolphins for the first time since March of the 2021 spring season.
Each team walked onto the field ready to put up a battle right out of the gate, the first half began as a back-and-forth affair. At the five minute mark, FGCU attempted to score on a breakaway that was saved by Dolphins starting goalkeeper Jabari Gray. A few minutes later, JU responded with an attempt on a free kick, but even with two Dolphins in the box, the pursuit to get onto the board was unsuccessful. Through the next few minutes each team attempted to score twice more, but the ball continued to roll across the field as both programs strived to protect its goal.
During the middle of the half, both the Eagles and Dolphins rattled off two more shot attempts. The game grew more intense, as yellow cards were awarded to players on each team. At the 27 minute mark, O'Vonte Mullings found space in the bottom corner of the goal to put the Eagles on top, 1-0. Through the last 18 minutes of the period, the Eagles began to take control. FGCU managed to keep the ball on the Dolphins side of the field and held JU to three unsuccessful shot attempts before exiting the field at the end of the half.
As play resumed, FGCU returned to the field more energetic than before. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Eagles managed to attempt three more shots and allowed JU only one. Shortly after, Mullings scored his second goal at the 58' mark to extend FGCU's lead, 2-0.
From there, the Eagles stepped up the pace on offense to take charge. While the Dolphins proceeded to take four more shot attempts through the remainder of the half, it would not be enough to tie the game to force overtime or take a lead to secure the victory. As the clock wound down tempers flared and more yellow cards were issued to each team, followed by a red card for the Dolphins' Jake Duncan-Smith to end the match.
Next, the Dolphins wrap up its three-game road trip in Miami against FIU on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Kickoff against the Panthers is set for 5:00 p.m. ET.
