via press release on MCLA web site   On the weekend of April 25, 2015 Florida Gulf Coast University accomplished a goal that was four years in the making…capture an SELC Championship! After achieving a #1 divisional seed by beating arch rival Palm Beach Atlantic the previous Saturday night before a packed stadium at FGCU, the Eagles came into the SELC tournament with confidence and determination to bring home it’s first crown. FGCU vs. Asbury On Friday the Eagles took on #2 seed and first year program Asbury representing the SELC NW division. After 2014′s disappointing first round loss to the College of Charleston, FGCU still had a bitter taste in its mouth and learned from the experience by taking Asbury very seriously…and it showed in a 17-2 victory. The pace started with a barrage of shots from the Eagles but none found their mark as Asbury’s goalie stood tall deflecting attempts left and right. It wasn’t until Max Miller (Flemington, NJ) opened the flood gates midway through the first quarter with a strong dodge down the wing that burst the back of the net. From there, FGCU demonstrated why they were the #8 team in the nation and a #1 seed scoring 12 unanswered goals through the first three quarters. Every Eagle got his feet wet in playoff competition allowing freshman Nick Murray (East Lake, FL) to lead the team with a hat-trick and Johnnie Mulcahy (Scituate, MA) to finish with three points of his own. GAME STATS »» FGCU vs. Elon After feeling confident of climbing the first hurdle, FGCU was facing the #15 ranked Elon Phoenix. This would prove to be an incredibly tough test since Elon has had some of the same success as the Eagles as well as being a well-established and dominant program for years in the SELC. The Eagles showed little signs of rust at the start of the game by a 0-0 tie-breaking goal by Vinny Valentine (Buffalo, NY.) It was the Phoenix that would go on a run of their own however jumping quickly to a 3-1 lead halfway through the second quarter. After the dust settled, FGCU would gain their composure, buckle down on defense, and let the offense take over…which they did. The Eagles would take a 6-4 lead into halftime by scoring 4 unanswered goals and putting Elon on their heals. After a 3-3 third quarter, FGCU would put the game away by finding the back of the net two more times in the 4th to seal the 11-8 semi-final victory. CJ Marrinan (Narragansett, RI) would lead the way with 4 goals. GAME STATS »» FGCU vs. PBA Would we have it any other way? That was the sentiment around the team for the championship game on Sunday. Having the chance to face our rival Palm Beach Atlantic for the right to win the title. Narrowly beating the Sailfish just one week earlier, FGCU knew it’d be a tough test and that PBA would give everything they had for a chance to capture their first title as well. The first quarter started out just as expected, a struggle between two motivated programs resulting in a 2-2 tie after the first quarter horn sounded. But it would never be that close again. FGCU would put in 4 goals in the 2nd quarter and 5 more in the 3rd thanks to stifling defense and a crisp offense that took full advantage of PBA’s smaller numbers. Anxiousness and some ill-timed penalties allowed the Sailfish offense to put in 3 of their own in the 4th but for every PBA run, the Eagles seemed to find an answer closing the game out with a 14-8 win. GAME STATS »» The Eagles were led by Vinny Valentine’s (Buffalo, NY) 5 assists and Chase Beale’s (Tampa, FL) 4 goals. Honored as All-SELC Tournament performers were: Attack: Vinny Valentine & CJ Marrinan Midfield: Chase Beale & AJ Carter Defense: Brian Lindback & Jackson Burns Goalie: Tyler Morrone