TAMPA, Fla. – The FGCU men’s soccer team wrapped up its weekend trip to the USF Tournament with a 1-0 shutout of Saint Louis on Sunday at the USF Soccer Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Senior midfielder Francesco DiStefano (Kissimmee, Fla./Osceola HS) provided the late game-winner, finding the back of the net in the 80th minute of play.

“We felt that today was a must-win coming off a stretch of tough games,” said fifth-year head coach Bob Butehorn. “Our guys came out today and played very well, and I know we are all very happy to come away with the win. Now we have to prepare for another tough test in UCF on the road Friday.”

Recording their second shutout of the season, the Green and Blue leveled their record at 2-2-2 this year. Coming off a 2-1 victory over host No. 12 USF on Friday, SLU dropped to 2-4 with the loss to the Eagles.

After nearly 80 minutes of scoreless play, FGCU provided the decisive strike off the foot of DiStefano at the 79:51 mark. Setup on an assist from junior forward William Morse (Sugar Land, Texas/Clements HS) with a second assist from senior midfielder Josey Portillo (Metairie, La./Grace King HS), DiStefano sent his shot past SLU keeper Nick Shackelford for his team-leading second goal of the season.

In the scoreless first half, both teams totaled four shots with redshirt senior goalkeeper Adam Glick (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley HS) recording three saves in the frame. Shackelford also tallied his lone save in the contest in the first period.

With nine second half shots, the Eagles finished the contest with a 13-8 advantage in the shot column and a 7-6 edge in the corner kick battle.

Sending away three shots in the second half to bring his total to six in the contest, Glick picked up his 28th career victory. With 18 career shutouts, the netminder now sits in a tie for third all-time in A-Sun history, just five away from Jeff Cassar of FIU (1992-95).

The win moved FGCU's record to 2-0 all-time against Atlantic 10 foes, having defeated Rhode Island, 4-0, at the FGCU Soccer Complex on Sept. 8.

USF defeated No. 5 UC Irvine, 2-0, in the other contest of the afternoon, bringing all four programs’ records to 1-1 at the weekend event.

The Eagles continue their road swing with a trip to Orlando, Fla. for a meeting with No. 8 UCF on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. With an unblemished record of 5-0-1, the Knights are 3-0 against the Atlantic Sun Conference this season, with wins over Jacksonville (2-1), Belmont (3-1) and North Florida (3-0). Live stats, Twitter updates (@FGCUMensSoccer and @FGCUEagles), results and recaps will be available at www.FGCUAthletics.com.

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