FORT MYERS, Fla. – Despite trailing #7 Austin Peay 1-0 at halftime, #3 FGCU rallied to earn a 3-2 victory and advance to the 2023 Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Soccer Championship Semifinals.

Austin Peay’s Alec Baumgardt recorded the first goal of the match after an assist from Tori Case in the 15th minute. This marked just the second time this season that a conference opponent had scored first against the Eagles. Despite the Govs' aggressive offense, the Eagles outshot Austin Peay, 8-4, in the opening half of play.

FGCU’s Maya Henley Buisan got the equalizer in the second period against the Govs in the top right of the goal (65:39). Just a few minutes later, Erika Zschuppe scored off a penalty kick to put the Eagles ahead before Ashley Labbe extended the lead with a shot into the bottom right of the net. APSU wasn’t done yet, however, as the team cut into the Eagles' lead by one when Alana Owens scored in the 82nd minute. 

The Eagles' scoring run in the second half proved to be too much for the Govs to overcome. FGCU now advances to the semifinals in Nashville, Tenn., where the club faces #2 Central Arkansas on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6 PM CT.