FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer team battled through two lightning delays and pouring rain to earn a 0-0 draw against A-Sun rival Jacksonville (5-4-2, 1-0-1 A-Sun) on a rainy Sunday afternoon at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

The Eagles earned their third straight and fifth shutout of the year to improve to 6-3-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the A-Sun. FGCU has an unbeaten streak of 15 games (12-0-3) in conference action that dates back to the end of the 2009 campaign.

“It was a physical game from the start and we battled given the conditions,” said head coach Jim Blankenship. “After the delays and with the rain neither team could find a rhythm but our backline was solid again. “We had some chances late and Stephanie (Powers) played another quality game for us.”

FGCU produced a 14-10 shot advantage over the 110 minutes of action, including 6 shots on goal. Senior keeper Stephanie Powers (Seffner, Fla./Armwood HS) was solid again stopping five of Jacksonville’s shots on net to earn her 24th career shutout and move into fifth all-time in A-Sun history. Powers hasn’t allowed a goal in three straight games, including two double over-time affairs with a streak of over 310 minutes without allowing a goal.

The Eagles had three chances in the second overtime when Olivia Elias (Coral Springs, Fla./American Heritage-Delray HS) placed a shot on net but it was denied by Jacksonville’s keeper Sarah Sierra. In the 107^th minute, Elias raced down the field and attempted to score the golden goal but Dolphins keeper’ Sierra made the save. She finished the game with three shots, including two on net in the second overtime. 

Most of the second half was played in pouring rain which limited the action to just seven shots between the two teams. Powers came up with two big saves in the half to keep the game tied, including a header chance from Jacksonville’s Kaitlyn Bassett in the 56^th minute.

After a scoreless first-half, both teams were even in shots with five apiece. FGCU had an opportunity in the 36^th minute when Amanda Goble (Lutz, Fla./Land O’Lakes HS) had a shot on goal but was turned away by the Dolphins’ keeper Sierra.

Six FGCU players played the entire 110 minutes, including the starting four defenders KC Correllus (Merritt Island, Fla./Satellite HS/Florida State), Kat Hunter (Safety Harbor, Fla./Clearwater Central Catholic HS), Jennifer Crittenberger (Lighthouse Point, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons HS), and Ashley Ciesielczyk (Oregon, Ohio/Clay HS). Correllus continues to have an excellent season with her ability to shut down the opposing team’s best players. In today’s game, she stopped attacks from the Dolphins’ offense numerous times.

FGCU returns to action next weekend to face Stetson in Deland on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

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