The UNF women’s soccer team lost at home for the first time this season Oct. 10 against Florida Gulf Coast University 5-0.

The game started an hour late due to a rain delay and was intensified by the condition of the field at Hodges Stadium, which had been drenched by rain the last two days.

Instead of a test of speed and agility, the match became a challenge to see who could move the ball the most in the field-turned-swamp.

“The field condition caused it to be a different game across the board for both teams,” said UNF head coach Linda Hamilton. “I definitely give the Eagles a lot of credit for being able to adjust to the conditions the way they did.”

FGCU took control of the game early by slipping in two goals – one from Amber McCall and one from Caytlan Mackenzie – in the first 15 minutes of play. Facing a two-goal deficit, UNF held the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the first half.

The Eagles quickly added to their lead five minutes into the second half off of an empty net goal from Gina Petracco. FGCU added two more goals in the game including an empty net shot from Sarah Fagler and a header off a corner kick by Lindsay Hay.

“It’s hard to be upset with my girls,” Hamilton said. “They went out there and fought hard. It was just impossible for us to play our style of game.”

UNF took 13 shots in the game, but most were forced due to the condition of the field.

UNF goalkeeper Erica Lippitt finished the game with three saves while FGCU’s goalkeepers finished the game with seven saves.

“It’s disappointing when you have games like this one, but we just have to get our mentality right and take each game as a new day and another opportunity,” Hamilton said.

UNF’s next game will be at home against Campbell University Oct. 18.

E-mail John Weidner at asst.sports@unfspinnaker.com.