FORT MYERS, Fla. – Albert Ruiz secured just the second hat trick in program history as part of the FGCU’s men’s soccer team’s (4-2-1) 5-0 rout of visiting UNCW (4-1-0) Saturday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

Ruiz (Barcelona, Spain/ CE L’Hospitalet/UE Cornella) also added an assist to finish with a program-record seven points as the Eagles flew to their fourth-straight win and in the process posted their largest non-conference shutout in program history. UNCW entered the match as one of only six undefeated and untied teams in the country and just outside the top 25 in every national poll.

In addition to Ruiz scoring FGCU’s middle three goals, Jiro Barriga Toyama (Chiba, Japan/Barton CC/Chibakennrituoihama HS) posted his first career goal to open the scoring, and Dennis Zapata (Orlando, Fla./University HS) capped it with a highlight-reel free kick from about 40 yards out.

Sawyer Jackman (Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East HS) earned his first career shutout as the sophomore made four saves to earn the first clean sheet of the year for the Green and Blue. After alternating goalkeepers the first four games of the year, Jackman has gotten the nod each of the last four times out and is now 4-0-1 on the year with a goals-against average of 0.96.

After waiting out a lightning delay of nearly an hour, FGCU – ranked #6 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Southeast Region Poll this week and sure to climb higher – put the game out of reach early with three first-half goals. Ruiz delivered his third strike just minutes into the second half before being subbed out shortly therafter as he completed his record-setting night in only 50 minutes of action.

“I’m really happy for Albert – it couldn’t happen to a better guy,” said FGCU program-founding head coach Bob Butehorn. “He works really hard and gives everything he has each game. He’s not a guy that is flashy; he just finishes the chances that he gets.

“We’re starting to build a lot of confidence and we have a good attitude, so a lot of things are starting to click for us right now,” Butehorn continued. “But we need to still get better defensively – and I know that sounds crazy after a 5-0 win – but we gave UNCW a few too many good chances. But overall I’m really pleased with tonight and the result because they’re a good team.”

Barriga Toyama tallied his ultimate game-winner in the 15th minute off a left-footed rocket shot which Ruiz passed back to him. The junior transfer ripped a low, driven effort from about 22 yards out just outside the outstretched arm of UNCW keeper Ryan Cretens, who posted consecutive shutouts last weekend.

Ruiz netted his first of the night in the 30th minute off a throw in from Preston Kilwien (San Francisco, Calif./College Park HS), who was credited with the assist. Ruiz deftly took one touch, and in limited space was able to send a shot just inside the left post and past Cretens from a close angle.

His second of the night came just before the halftime break in the 42nd minute when Jackman sent a long ball over the top of everyone and perfectly on to Ruiz’s run. The goalkeeper was credited with the assist as Ruiz calmly beat a charging Cretens to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead heading into the break.

The lethal junior striker capped his evening by finishing a pass across the goal mouth from Justin Gavin (Brooklyn, N.Y./Eastern Florida State College/Treasure Coast HS) in the 49th minute. He one-timed his effort at the back post into the back of the net to match the three goals that Scott Harrison scored against North Florida on Oct. 31, 2010.

The scoring festivities for the Eagles concluded in seemingly appropriate fashion with an unbelievable finish from Zapata off a free kick. Positioned just in front of the FGCU bench close to the touch line, Zapata sent a ball into the box which found its way under the left upper 90 for his third goal of the campaign.

The 5-0 shutout for FGCU is tied for the second-largest in program history overall along with an Atlantic Sun Conference match versus ETSU on Oct. 10, 2010. The largest shutout in program history came against ASUN foe UNF in the aforementioned contest in which Harrison secured his hat trick – a 6-0 Eagles’ triumph.

With his seven-point night – one more than the previous record of six held by Harrison – Ruiz moves into sole possession of 3rd place on the program’s career points list with 35 – nine shy of breaking the record of 43 by Cristian Raudales from 2008-11. Ruiz, who also leads the ASUN in points and goals this year, has 15 career goals to rank 3rd in program history and just five shy of surpassing Raudales’s mark of 19.

FGCU will look to keep the offense rolling as it remains at home for a quick turnaround when it hosts cross-state foe FAU on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. The Owls are 1-3-1 on the year following a 1-0 loss at home to South Carolina on Saturday evening.

TICKET INFORMATION
Season and single-game tickets are available for the 2016 campaign, with season tickets starting at just $35. More information, including special discounts and group rates, can be accessed by visiting FGCUTickets.com. To purchase tickets, or for additional inquiries, call the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men’s soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.

COACH BUTEHORN
FGCU is led by Bob Butehorn, who has coached six professional players and 54 ASUN All-Conference selections since FGCU started its program in 2007. In just five years of postseason eligibility, Butehorn has guided FGCU to three ASUN Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances – in 2011, 2012 and 2014 – and has won an unprecedented six-straight ASUN regular-season championships. His teams have been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets. Now in his 14th season as a head coach, Butehorn has a 119-92-26 (.557) overall record, 85-60-22 (.575) mark in his 10th season at FGCU and 48-17-6 (.718) record in ASUN contests.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.

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