FGCU forward Keira Morgan (5) celebrates a goal during Sunday’s 3-2 win over Jacksonville at Pickering Field in Fort Myers, Fla. (Photo by Nick De Castro / FGCU Athletics)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team (7-1-5, 4-0-2) remained at the top of the ASUN Conference standings Sunday afternoon at Pickering Field, fending off Jacksonville University (4-4-4, 2-1-2) in a 3-2 victory behind a multi-goal performance from Keira Morgan to extend the Eagles’ unbeaten streak to 11 matches.

Morgan made a powerful statement on the pitch just days after taking a punch to the face post-match in Thursday’s 2-1 win over the University of North Florida. Undeterred by the incident, she provided the exact offensive spark the Eagles needed to take down a Dolphins team that entered as the only other remaining conference unbeaten.

“I was really excited to get back on the field and play soccer,” Morgan said. “I’m here to score goals and that’s my main focus, so that’s what I want to do. I’m really happy to see our team get the win. Two wins in the week, so I’m really happy for our team to get six points this week.”

The Eagles set the tone early in the 17th minute when Lexie Bennett played a long ball ahead, allowing Morgan to win the race against Jacksonville goalkeeper Taylor Gardner for a left-footed tap-in to an empty net.

“Really good by Lexie [Bennett] to just play me right away so I wasn’t offside,” Morgan explained of her opening strike. “Went around the keeper to the empty net and put it in the back of the net.”

Jacksonville answered less than two minutes later, as Ragna Magnúsdóttir collected a rebound and put it into the back of the net.

The match tightened through the middle of the half. FGCU managed just one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes, though Lily Borders had an opportunity to add to the lead in the 43rd minute by cutting out a Jacksonville run and firing a left-footed shot just high as the sides went into halftime even at 1-1.

FGCU wasted no time retaking control out of the break. Just two minutes into the second half, Kaitlin Gabelman threaded a pass to Kate Friday, who played the ball ahead to Morgan for her second goal of the match, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

“Kate [Friday] played a really good ball to find me in all that traffic,” Morgan said of her second tally, which marked her fourth of the season. “I turned and hit it first time.”

Tessa Brooks provided crucial insurance in the 78th minute for the Eagles, drilling a ball over the diving head of keeper Gardner and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season. The strike proved to be the match-winner after Jacksonville’s Millie Urquhart cut FGCU’s lead back to one in the 81st minute, scoring off a setup from Madelyn Radtke.

Reflecting on the win, FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship was pleased with the grit his team showed in the match.

“We got six points this week against two undefeated teams,” Blankenship said. “It’s a challenge we know is coming, better to see it now than in the playoffs, because it’s more like a playoff game.”

Blankenship also spoke about the growth and development of Morgan.

“Thursday night [against UNF] phenomenal assist for us to win it,” Blankenship said. “Tonight, two goals. When we needed a goal. She’s really good. She’s become a handful.”

Goalkeeper Madara Bome recorded three saves in 90 minutes of action to earn her seventh win of the season, anchoring a defense that withstood a late push from Jacksonville. FGCU finished with a 14-11 edge in total shots and a 6-5 mark in shots on goal.

FGCU closes out its home schedule on Sunday, Oct. 18, when the Eagles host Stetson University at 1 p.m. Prior to the match, FGCU will hold a Senior Day Ceremony for Sarah Greiner, Megan Morgan, Reese Dunaway, Maya Henley Buisan and Ava Boyd.

“It’s a tricky game,” Blankenship said. “We honor some guys that have been absolutely phenomenal in our program and show respect. We’re in a title race, we need points. I think our team knows that … we’re in a battle, we’ll be ready.”

Morgan echoed those same sentiments, “I’m so excited for our seniors. They contribute so much to the team on and off the field. They are the biggest role models that we have. We are 100 percent going to get a win for them on Senior Day,” Morgan said.