FORT MYERS, Fla. – Freshman Shea Rhoney’s (Lithia, Fla./Newsome HS) two goals in the first half helped the FGCU women’s soccer team shutout Stetson, 2-0 and clinched a spot in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Friday night, at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

FGCU improves to 10-3-3 and 5-1-1 in A-Sun action while Stetson drops to 3-11-1 and 1-5-1 in conference play. FGCU moves to 5-1 all-time against Stetson and has won the last five meetings against the Hatters.

“I’m pleased with the result,” said head coach Jim Blankenship. “I like the way we took control with two really good goals. The first half really set the tone. Stetson really pressed us at the end and we have a ton of respect for them.”

The win also puts FGCU back at the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference standings with 16 points. Mercer is in second with 14, followed by Kennesaw State (13) and North Florida (13). Mercer is the only other team that has secured a spot in the conference tournament.

The Green and Blue also improved their record to 15-0-3 in A-Sun home games dating back to 2009.

In the 15^th minute, senior Ashley Ciesielczyk (Oregon, Ohio/Clay HS) dribbled up the right sideline and made a pass to sophomore Shannen Wacker (Parker, Colo./Ponderosa HS) who redirected it to Rhoney inside the box and Rhoney beat the Stetson goal keeper in the top left corner to take a 1-0 lead.

The assist for Ciesielczyk gives her 27 career assists which puts her into a tie for seventh all-time in A-Sun history. The assist for Wacker was her second this season and gives her a team-leading 22 points.

In the 23^rd minute, FGCU was awarded a penalty kick and Rhoney beat the keeper in the top right corner for her second goal of the game.

Rhoney two goals gives her six this season which is second best on the team behind Wacker (10).

Freshman keeper Brittany Brown (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena HS) made two stops all night and earned her fifth shutout this year, which ranks first in the A-Sun. The Eagle defense limited shots for Stetson, only allowing seven shots total through 90 minutes of play.

The Green and Blue’s next game will be Friday October 19, when they host Kennesaw State at the FGCU Soccer Complex. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 7 p.m.

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