FINAL SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 4, Vermont 0
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Catamounts dropped their regular season home opener 4-0 to Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night in the return of former head coach Jesse Cormier. Vermont falls to 1-2 in the young season while FGCU reaches the win column for the first time at 1-2.
 
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Florida Gulf Coast, who owned the top scoring offense in the country last year, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute. Dylan Sacramento lined a shot on goal and UVM keeper Aron Runarsson (5 saves) was able to punch it away, but Robert Ferrer was there to tap in the rebound for the Eagles.
 
On FGCU's next possession, Runarsson came through with a clutch save on a breakaway chance by Shak Adams to keep the Catamounts in the game. Adams was on the receiving end of a long through ball and marched up the field, but Runarsson came charging out of the net and blocked Adams' shot attempt.
 
In the 21st minute, the Eagles struck twice in a 21-second span. Preston Kilwien knocked in FGCU's second goal of the contest with a line drive shot after Dennis Zapata bent a pass into the box on a corner kick. Zapata added the third goal of the night with a one-timer off a cross from Dylan Sacramento.
 
Five minutes later, Tom Cole was inches away from getting the Catamounts on the scoreboard. The chance was set up by Geo Alves on a corner kick where Cole leaped forward and got a head on the ball, but his attempt was stopped by FGCU goalie Connor Gavigan (7 saves).
 
As the scoreboard ticked down towards halftime, the Green and Gold were on the attack with a free kick. Alves lined up from 40 yards out and sent a kick into the six-yard box but the Catamounts could not get a foot on the pass.
 
Six minutes into the second half, Florida Gulf Coast added its final goal of the evening when Zapata bent a cross from the corner to the far side of the box. The pass bounced to Kilwein and the junior knocked in his second goal of the game.
 
In the 52nd minute, Jon Arnar Barðdal attempted a penalty kick for Vermont. The sophomore's attempt was fired into the bottom left corner but Gavigan dove to his right to make the save.
 
Vermont hosts the first of three Ivy League opponents this season when Yale visits Burlington on Saturday, Sept. 9. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. The contest is UVM's annual Rally Against Cancer game presented by Otter Creek Awnings and Vermont Custom Closets. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cancer research initiative. Single game tickets are available at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday. Free live video will be available in HD at AmericaEast.TV.