A Milestone Match at Pickering Field
The Florida Gulf Coast University women's soccer squad welcomed Houston to Pickering Field on August 12, 2026, marking the first time the Eagles have hosted a Big 12 opponent and the opening game of a season that celebrates two decades of program history.
Despite a lively contest that produced 22 combined shots, the match concluded without a single goal, finishing 0-0. FGCU's senior midfielder Sarah Greiner rose for a header that was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Sierra McCluer, while sophomore keeper Madara Bome made a pair of saves in the 51st and 74th minutes to keep the deadlock intact.
Coach Jim Blankenship praised the team's effort, noting that the performance reflected the high expectations set by the ASUN Coaches Poll, which had positioned the Eagles as the preseason No. 1 with 54 points, four ahead of Lipscomb.
The Eagles will now travel to Statesboro, Georgia, for a three‑match road stretch that begins with a showdown against Georgia Southern on August 16, a test that could prove pivotal as the season unfolds.