FORT MYERS, Fla. — Stetson men's soccer opened ASUN Conference play in convincing fashion Saturday night, defeating Florida Gulf Coast 3-1 at the FGCU Soccer Complex.
The Hatters (4-4-0, 1-0-0 ASUN) struck early and never looked back, netting two first-half goals to build momentum before adding a third in the second half. The victory marked Head Coach Emmett Rutkowski's fourth straight win in a conference opener.
How It Happened
Stetson set the tone in the 13th minute when Dominik Topolsky scored his first goal as a Hatter, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. Just eight minutes later, Valentin Fontaine doubled the advantage with a strike in the 21st minute, also his first in a Stetson uniform.
FGCU (4-4-2, 0-1-0 ASUN) cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 42nd minute on a goal from Pedro Arcoverde, but Stetson quickly regrouped after the break. Daniel Makowem restored the two-goal cushion in the 60th minute, finishing off an assist from Topolsky to make it 3-1, Makowem's first goal of the season.
From there, the Hatters' back line and goalkeeper Nicolò Radaelli kept the Eagles at bay. Radaelli recorded four second-half saves and finished with four total on the night to secure the victory.
Stetson returns home next weekend to host Jacksonville on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Athletic Training Center.
Game Notes
- Fontaine, Topolsky, and Makowem each scored their first goals of the season.
- Topolsky finished with a goal and an assist.
- Radaelli logged four saves against 13 total FGCU shots.
- Stetson has now seen nine different goal scorers over its last three matches.
- The Hatters have won four straight ASUN openers under Rutkowski.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
