Florida Gulf Coast University midfielder Lexie Bennett (14) tracks the action near the net during Sunday’s 3-3 draw against Florida Atlantic at Pickering Field in Fort Myers, Fla. (Photo: Zachary Gibbons / The Eagle Sports Report)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Ryanne Robinson delivered a 78th-minute equalizing header to give the Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team (2-1-3) a 3-3 draw against in-state rival Florida Atlantic University (2-2-3) on Sunday afternoon at Pickering Field.

Robinson’s game-tying goal came off a corner kick from Sarah Greiner, answering just over 20 minutes after FAU’s Alex Bayouth curled a left-footed strike into the upper net at the 57th minute to put the Owls ahead 3-2. The Eagles held the overall edge in total shots (12-9), shots on goal (6-5), and corner kicks (6-4) as they earned their third consecutive draw of the non-conference slate.

“I’m encouraged to play the quality teams we play and be able to battle back,” said FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship. “You want to win, but I’m proud of their mentality. The players are giving us everything they’ve got. They’re battling like crazy to try to get results, and it’s going to make them resilient.”

FGCU struck first in the 13th minute when Lexie Bennett collected a service from Taylor Latini inside the box on the right side and made a shot past the keeper into the back left post. FAU answered at the 20th minute as Lola Hathorne shot an equalizer into the upper corner of the net, before Hathorne doubled her tally at the 33rd minute with a 35-yard floater to put the Owls ahead 2-1 heading into the break.

Bennett struck again early in the second half in the 56th minute, finishing a combination from Kaitlin Gabelman and Latini for her first career brace. Bennett broke down what she saw on both scoring plays:

“The first one I saw the space and I ran through it,” Bennett said. “I was calling for it from my midfielder Taylor [Latini] and I saw the goal. I went down and I crossed it diagonal—hoping someone would get on it or it would go in.”

“The second one, I kind of was just hanging out wide, and Kaitlin [Gabelman] passed it to me. And then I think I just cut it in and was hoping for the best and just kind of kicked it at the goal.”

“It was great,” Bennett added regarding her multi-goal performance against the rival Owls. “I only had one goal all of last season, so it was really exciting to get two. It’s frustrating that we keep tying, but I think eventually it’s going to lead to a win.”

Blankenship praised Bennett’s multi-faceted progression, noting her evolution into a complete threat.

“Lexie has been absolutely fantastic,” Blankenship said. “Defensively, she’s really good and earned a lot of minutes, and now you see that attacking mentality in her. She has the ability to get behind people and hit it. She’s gaining in confidence and becoming a complete player.”

FGCU goalkeeper Madara Bome played all 90 minutes for the Eagles, making two saves on five shots on goal. FAU split time in net as Ashley Small played the first half making one save and Nikki Holland handled the second half making two saves.

“The reality is we’ve got to eliminate some of the goals we’re giving up,” Blankenship noted. “Next up for this group is just cleaning it up.”

FGCU returns to Pickering Field hosting High Point University on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 4 p.m., as the first match in a doubleheader alongside the men’s soccer team.

“I’m excited,” Blankenship said of the doubleheader. “We get a chance to go first and play a really good team and program, and then the reward is the guys play after. For our program, community, and soccer fans, it’s a great day to be at the park. We want the Dirty Birds out here.”