FGCU Captures A-Sun Title

FORT MYERS, Fla. – FGCU freshman Shannen Wacker’s goal in the 107th minute of double-overtime broke a scoreless tie and sent top-seeded FGCU to a 1-0 win over sixth-seeded Mercer to claim the 2011 Atlantic Sun Women’s Soccer Championship on Sunday afternoon at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

With the win, FGCU earns the A-Sun’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament and becomes the first team to win the conference tournament in its first appearance since Kennesaw State accomplished the feat in 2007.

The golden goal was setup by a ball sent to senior Gina Petracco, who headed a pass to Wacker on the left side of the goal box. The pass hit Wacker in stride, as she sent a one-touch shot into the right corner of the net for her second goal of the tournament.

FGCU now stands at 14-4-2 on the season, setting the program record for single-season wins. The Eagles will now wait for the NCAA Tournament selection show which will be show on NCAA.com Monday at 4:30 p.m.

The 1-0 win was the Eagles’ second of the season against Mercer with the first coming in Macon, Ga. on October 7th. Mercer, the first No. 6 seed to make the A-Sun Championship game, finishes the season with a 10-8-2 record.

FGCU keeper and A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year Stephanie Powers made four saves in net to earn her 12th shutout of the season. Powers is the A-Sun all-time leader in career shutouts with 31.