FGCU midfielder Megan Morgan (3) striking the ball during the Eagles’ 2-0 win over High Point at Pickering Field. (Photo by Zachary Gibbons/The Eagle Sports Report)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team returns home to open ASUN Conference play on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Pickering Field, hosting the Queens University of Charlotte Royals. The match will stream live on ESPN+.

Riding a five-game unbeaten streak and taking the pitch for the first time in 12 days, the Eagles enter the conference opener carrying a 3-1-3 overall record. Jim Blankenship’s squad most recently blanked High Point 2-0 at home behind a steady defensive performance and clean execution. Sarah Greiner and Lily Borders earned conference recognition following the effort, capturing ASUN Player of the Week and ASUN Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.

The team has shown resilience through a challenging non-conference slate—highlighted by a 3-2 win over Southeastern Conference opponent Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on Aug. 23—while going 2-1 on the road and holding down an unbeaten 1-0-3 mark at home. Furthermore, Pickering Field has proven a major home-field advantage over the past calendar year, with the Eagles going 7-0-3 in their last 10 regular-season contests in front of home fans while outscoring opponents 35-7 during that span.

On the offensive side, the Eagles have hit their stride during their current unbeaten run, finding the back of the net 14 times after being held scoreless in their first two matches of the year. Kaitlin Gabelman and Sarah Greiner lead the team with three goals and one assist each for seven points apiece. Taylor Latini and Keira Morgan orchestrate the playmaking duties, tied for the team lead with three assists each, while Ryleigh Acosta and Lexie Bennett have each chipped in two goals.

Defensively, Madara Bome anchors the backline as the primary goalkeeper, logging seven starts and 597:05 minutes in net. Bome holds a 1.36 goals-against average with 22 saves and two shutouts, while Danyelle Dorn has seen relief action in one match, combining for the team’s three total shutouts.

Queens arrives in Fort Myers looking to find its footing after opening the year at 1-6-1. The Royals battled to a 2-2 draw against The Citadel on Aug. 12, with McKayla Budion and Tamia Ford supplying the goals. Queens picked up its lone win of the young season on Sept. 6, defeating South Carolina State 3-1 behind a multi-goal performance from Budion and a score from Grace Acevedo.

Statistically, the Royals are paced offensively by Budion, who leads the team with three goals and six points across eight starts. Acevedo anchors the playmaking side with a team-high two assists to go along with a goal for four points, while Ford and Emma Miller have each chipped in a goal to round out the primary attacking threats for Queens.

Defensively, the Royals have heavily utilized a pair of goalkeepers who have faced a heavy barrage, ranking in the top five in the ASUN in saves while conceding a conference-high 20 goals. Emily Protiva has logged a team-high six appearances and five starts, posting a 2.46 goals-against average with 30 saves and a 0.714 save percentage, while Ava Kreusling has seen action in four matches with three starts, recording a 2.56 goals-against average and 24 saves on a 0.750 save percentage.

Following the matchup with the Royals, the Eagles will quickly turn their attention to a Sunday afternoon showdown against ASUN newcomer the University of West Florida.