The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles women's soccer team represents Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers, Florida in all NCAA Division I women's soccer competitions. The Eagles compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The soccer team is one of several varsity sports teams that represent the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.
The team made the NCAA tournament in the first year of eligibility in 2011, and returned in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2023.
History The women’s soccer program was formed in 2007 as a result of FGCU athletics phasing into NCAA division 1 status. The team competed in their first match on August 31 in a 10-0 win against Alabama State.
Due to FGCU athletics transition into Division I competition, the Eagles had to wait out a four-year probationary period before becoming eligible for postseason play. In 2011, their first year of eligibility, the team clinched its first conference tournament title and advanced to the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Since 2011, the Eagles have won 8 ASUN Conference tournament championships, 11 ASUN regular season championships, and have made 8 NCAA Tournament appearances.
The FGCU Eagles and UCF Knights currently share the record for most tournament titles (8).
Stadium The Eagles currently play their home matches at the FGCU Soccer Complex, also known as Pickering Field. The field is 120x80 yards and is Natural Celebration Bermuda grass. The stadium holds 1,500 permanent seats.
On November 15, 2014, Pickering Field became the first FGCU venue to host an NCAA Division I Tournament match. The Eagles faced Auburn in the first round of the tournament with a record of 2,014 in attendance.
Players
Current roster
Current Professional Players
Louise Lillbäck (2019–2022) – Currently with Brommapojkarna Leah Scarpelli (2020–2022) – Currently with Brooklyn FC Katie Sullivan (2021–2021) – Currently with Fjölnir FC Julia Roddar (2012-2014) – Currently with London City Lionesses Tabby Tindell (2013-2016) – Currently with BK Häken Evdokia Popadinova (2018-2019) – Currently with Brisbane Roar Emily Dolan (2013-2015) – Currently with SF Damaiense Ali Rogers (2012-2016) – Currently with Fort Lauderdale United (Coach) Jamie Finn (2016) – Currently with Birmingham City
Notable alumni
Coaching staff {| class="wikitable" ! width= px style=""|Position ! width= px style=""|Staff |- | Head coach || Jim Blankenship |- | Associate Head Coach || Alex Ng |- | Assistant Coach || Nicole Burke |- | Assistant Coach || Sydney Blomquist
Jim Blankenship has served as the head coach of the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles women’s soccer program since its inception in 2007. Blankenship has guided the Eagles to a 208-80-35 overall record over the first 17 seasons of the program. Upon entering the 2024 season, Blankenship’s 448 career wins rank 8th among active NCAA Division 1 coaches.
Seasons
+List of FGCU Eagles women's soccer seasons Season Head coach Regular season Postseason Overall Conference Conference NCAA Conference Division Finish Results 2007 Jim Blankenship 11-7-0 ASUN - 3rd 7-4-0 Not Eligible Not Eligible 2008 Jim Blankenship 10-4-3 ASUN - 4th 5-2-3 Not Eligible Not Eligible 2009 Jim Blankenship 11-5-2 ASUN - 3rd 6-2-2 Not Eligible Not Eligible 2010 Jim Blankenship 11-4-2 ASUN - 1st 8–0-2 Not Eligible Not Eligible 2011 Jim Blankenship 14-5-2 ASUN - 1st 7-1-1 Champions NCAA First Round 2012 Jim Blankenship 14-4-3 ASUN - 1st 7-1-1 Champions NCAA First Round 2013 Jim Blankenship 13-3-4 ASUN - 1st 7-0-2 Finalists - 2014 Jim Blankenship 17-4-0 ASUN - 1st 7-0-0 Champions NCAA First Round 2015 Jim Blankenship 14-6-2 ASUN - 1st 6-0-1 Champions NCAA Round of 32 2016 Jim Blankenship 14-5-1 ASUN - 1st 6-0-1 Champions NCAA First Round 2017 Jim Blankenship 14-4-1 ASUN - 1st 5-1-1 Champions NCAA First Round 2018 Jim Blankenship 13-4-2 ASUN - 3rd 5-3-0 Semi-Finals - 2019 Jim Blankenship 11-4-2 ASUN - 1st 6-1-1 Semi-Finals - 2020 Jim Blankenship 7-3-2 ASUN South Division 2nd 4-2-0 Semi-Finals - 2021Jim Blankenship10-7-1ASUNEast Division1st7-2-0Finalist - 2022Jim Blankenship12-6-2ASUN - 2nd8-1-1ChampionsNCAA First Round2023Jim Blankenship12-5-5ASUN - 3rd7-1-3ChampionsNCAA First Round2024Jim Blankenship12-5-5ASUN - 1st7-1-3Quarterfinals -
References
External links