FGCU defender Hannah Phillips (16) elevates for a header during Sunday’s ASUN match against North Florida at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. (Photo by Roy Allen/FGCU Athletics)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to ASUN Conference rival University of North Florida on Sunday at Hodges Stadium.

The defeat snaps a 13-match unbeaten streak and marks the first conference loss of the season for FGCU, which falls to 9-2-5 overall and 6-1-2 in ASUN play with 20 points. North Florida improved to 9-4-4 overall and 6-2-1 in conference action, pulling within a single point of first place at 19 points.

Despite the setback, the Eagles still control their own destiny: a win over Stetson University on Saturday, Oct. 31 in DeLand, Fla., will secure the program’s 13th ASUN regular season championship.

Trailing 2-0, FGCU answered in the 75th minute when Taylor Latini gathered a loose ball in the box and struck it into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season, cutting the Ospreys’ lead in half.

FGCU had two opportunities to find an equalizer in the 79th minute on back-to-back corner kicks, starting a late offensive surge that saw the Eagles earn five corners in a 3:36 span through the 82nd minute. North Florida’s defense held firm, but FGCU continued to press down the stretch. Sarah Greiner created a chance with a shot in the 88th minute, followed 34 seconds later by a shot on goal from Lily Borders, which UNF goalkeeper Sofia Miliancano saved to preserve the win.

North Florida opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Morgan Guillemette delivered a cross through the box to Skya Horth, who headed it past FGCU keeper Madara Bome at the back post to give the Ospreys an early 1-0 lead.

The Eagles’ best scoring opportunity of the opening half came in the 17th minute when Megan Morgan launched a left-footed strike from inside the box, which UNF keeper Miliancano turned away. Tessa Brooks followed nine seconds later with a shot off the rebound, but Miliancano made another save to keep FGCU off the board.

UNF doubled its advantage just three minutes after halftime. In the 48th minute, the Ospreys earned a free kick that Paige McSwigan sent on goal and into the back of the net to extend the lead to 2-0.

FGCU controlled the statistical battle despite the final score, outshooting North Florida 17-6 overall and holding a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal, with 12 of the Eagles’ total attempts coming in the second half. FGCU also generated 11 corner kicks compared to five for the Ospreys. Miliancano finished with 11 saves for UNF, while Bome recorded one save for FGCU.

UNF goalkeeper Miliancano made 11 saves, while FGCU keeper Bome finished with one save.

With a postseason berth already secured, FGCU will look to claim the ASUN regular season championship when it travels to DeLand, Fla., for a rematch against Stetson at the Athletic Training Center on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.