NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the battle for which team would take over sole possession of third place in the Atlantic Sun race, the Belmont women’s soccer team (10-4-1, 4-3 A-Sun) came up short on Friday night at the Whitten Soccer Complex. The Bruins were edged 1-0 by league newcomer Florida Gulf Coast. The loss moves BU to 4-3 in the A-Sun while the Eagles improve to 5-2.

The first meeting between the two programs started slowly as the teams tried to feel each other out. The Bruins attempted to score off a corner kick by senior Kari Lennon (Hoover, Ala.) but the shot by junior Jamie Bullock (Franklin, Tenn.) was grabbed by Eagle netminder Kirsi Keenan. A shot by Lindsay Haw sailed over the crossbar before a bullet by Amber McCall trickled over the gloves of sophomore goalkeeper Zirka Thompson (Alpharetta, Ga.) to give FGCU its only goal of the night in the ninth minute of play. Despite being down, Belmont played at an even pace and controlled the tempo of the match.

As the first stanza wound down, the Bruins closed in for two of their best scoring opportunities of the half. A shot by freshman Ivy Bentley (Huntsville, Ala.) was blocked by an FGCU and ricocheted to the awaiting feet of classmate Jessica Rix (Carmel, Ind.) inside the box. However, Rix put too much on the ball and it sailed over the crossbar.

In the second half, Belmont retained control of the tempo, picking up back-to-back corner kicks in the first three minutes of action. The Bruins let their defense take over before turning up the offensive heat in the last 20 minutes of regulation. In the 83rd minute, a corner kick by Lennon led to another shot by Jessica Rix, this time clanging off the crossbar to the groans of the Bruin faithful on their feet in the stands. BU continued to pressure the ball but the Eagles ran down the remainder of the time and held on for the 1-0 victory.

BU dominated both in shots and corner kicks, outpacing FGCU, 12-6 and 9-0, respectively.

Thompson went the distance for the Bruins inside the net and finished with a season-high four saves. Freshmen Jayme Trocino (Franklin, Tenn.) and Jennifer Rix (Carmel, Ind.) and senior Lauren Uremovich (Plano, Texas) each tallied two shots on the night.

“I’m proud of the way we played tonight,” said Head Coach Lisa Howe. “We really played quality soccer.

“Florida Gulf Coast defended well inside the box. They made it hard for us to score off corner kicks. We had opportunities but the ball would go high or wide or off the crossbar.

“If we continue to play strong like this, our luck has to improve.”

Belmont returns to action on Sunday at the Whitten Soccer Complex. The Bruins will host Stetson on Senior Day. Match time is set for 12:30 p.m.