BEFORE & AFTER: FGCU junior midfielder Taylor Latini (#13) stands focused at the spot before driving her 18th-minute penalty kick past FIU goalkeeper Valery Restrepo to score the Eagles’ first equalizer of the night in a 2-2 draw Thursday at Pickering Field.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Sophomore forward Kaitlin Gabelman scored a 59th-minute equalizer Thursday night to secure a 2-2 draw for the Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team (2-1-2) against Florida International University (0-2-3) at Pickering Field.

Gabelman, the reigning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week, delivered when it mattered most. Her third goal of the season capitalized on a setup from sophomore forward Keira Morgan and junior midfielder Kate Friday. She shot a finish over the coverage to bring the Eagles back level at the 58:47 mark.

“Keira played a great ball to me,” Gabelman said. “I saw the keeper off her line, so I just lobbed it over and it went in.”

The strike marked another milestone in Gabelman’s comeback stretch after overcoming early-career injuries that forced her to redshirt.

“It feels really good to score, but my teammates are setting me up really well. I’m thankful for them. I’m finally back to playing, which feels nice. I’m excited to be back and scoring and just playing with my team. I’m finally back to playing, which feels nice.”

FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship praised the dynamic attacking front of Gabelman and Morgan down the stretch.

“She’s playing with a lot of confidence,” Blankenship said. “Great goal. We needed it, pulled us back in it. Her and Keira were a handful for them. It was really nice to see them press and get rewarded for their chances.”

Gabelman’s equalizer capped off a night defined by FGCU’s refusal to fold after trailing on two separate occasions. FIU struck first in the fifth minute (04:29) off an FGCU defensive miscue following an FIU corner kick (03:56) that resulted in an own goal.

FGCU responded by dictating tempo in the attacking third, earning a penalty kick in the 18th minute (17:02) when junior midfielder Taylor Latini drew a foul inside the 18-yard box. Latini stepped up to the spot and converted the equalizer.

“After we gave up the goal, I thought the team pressed and kind of set the tempo,” Blankenship said. “We got rewarded with a really good player got fouled in the box by taking them on, and Taylor burying it really helped us because it equalized it.”

FIU reclaimed the lead early in the second half (46:10) when Maria Lucia Dogliani capitalized on a pass from Mariana Barreto just 70 seconds after the restart. That set the stage for Gabelman’s game-saving response 12 minutes later.

FGCU controlled the match offensively, outshooting FIU 17-11 (10-6 on target) and holding a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. Both goalkeepers stood tall to hold the line. FGCU’s Madara Bome played the full 90 minutes, making four of her five saves in the opening half. FIU keeper Valery Restrepo racked up eight saves (six in the second half) to deny a late Eagles game-winner.

While pleased with his team’s fight, Blankenship emphasized that early-half defensive lapses remain a priority to clean up before conference play.

“Proud of the players, proud of the team for fighting back,” Blankenship said. “We’re down twice, and the ability to fight back says a lot about the character and desire to win. But big picture, we don’t want to continue to create those situations.”

FGCU continues its homestand on Sunday, Sept. 6, hosting Florida Atlantic University at Pickering Field at 1 p.m.

“FAU is going to be tough,” Blankenship said. “It’s going to be a challenge, so we’re going to have to clean up some things, but our guys will be ready.”