STATESBORO, Ga. — The Florida Gulf Coast University men’s soccer team opened its 2026 season with a 3-1 loss to Georgia Southern at Bo Pitts Field on Thursday.

Despite outshooting Georgia Southern 14-13 overall and 9-6 in the second half, FGCU (0-1-0) placed just five shots on target compared to nine for the home team. The non-conference contest featured 26 fouls and seven yellow cards, with Georgia Southern (1-0-0) leveraging late defensive mistakes to pull away.

Georgia Southern grabbed the advantage at the 36:05 mark when Mitch Picksley converted a solo effort. Goalkeeper Marcelo Lacayo limited the damage in his NCAA debut, making six saves on the night—including three first-half stops and a crucial breakaway save to keep FGCU within reach.

The Eagles capitalized on a video assistant referee (VAR) review early in the second half. Following a Georgia Southern handball inside the box, Aron Martinez converted a left-footed penalty kick at 49:18 to level the match at 1-1.

The tie was brief. In the 61st minute, Broden Beorlegui intercepted an FGCU misplayed pass and finished the breakaway to put Georgia Southern back ahead 2-1. Beorlegui struck again shortly after, heading home a cross off a set piece set up by an FGCU yellow card to push the margin to 3-1.

FGCU continues its road swing on Sunday, Aug. 23, against the College of Charleston (0-0-1) at 7 p.m. ET.