FAU Women’s Soccer Secures Berth in Sun Belt Conference Tournament with Shutout Win at ULM

MONROE, LA (October 24, 2010) – The Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer team picked a perfect time to post its first road victory of the season, securing a berth in next month’s Sun Belt Conference tournament with a 2-0 shutout triumph over the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Sunday in Monroe, La.

“Making the conference tournament was one of our season goals, said Brian Dooley, FAU’s head women’s soccer coach. “This is a great accomplishment for this year’s team.”

FAU improves to the .500 mark in Sun Belt Conference action with a 5-5 record. That achievement will give the team no worse than the seventh seed in the league tournament, being hosted by Western Kentucky University on Nov. 3-6.

The Owls have also won consecutive matches for the second time this season.
“After the emotional game on Thursday against Louisiana-Lafayette (a 2-1 overtime victory) and a tricky travel schedule, I didn’t really know what to expect,” said Dooley.

FAU scored once in each half with a pair of freshmen leading the scoring attack. Brittney Nash broke the scoreless tie in the 20th minute with a shot from the right side of the field that sailed over the head of Warhawks’ goalkeeper Alex Holland. It was Nash’s fourth goal of the season.

“We started a little flat, but had to deal with a driving rain storm throughout the first half,” said Dooley. “It was at that time that Nash blistered a shot just under the crossbar. Having the lead took some of the pressure off.”

The Owls would add a late insurance goal as Alexandra Major scored her fourth goal of the season following a pass from senior Janelle Blake.
“Our goal in the second half was to get that second goal and take the spirit out of Louisiana-Monroe,” noted Dooley. “We had several excellent chances, but couldn’t convert until the last minute.”

FAU had 14 shots in the match. Nash led the way with four attempts, followed by freshman Jesse Shugg with three shots, and senior Anhnhi Tran and sophomore Allison Griffin each having two shots. Junior Gabriela DeVries, sophomore Emily Kelly and Major had single shots during the match.
Redshirt freshman Courtney Zwetsch had another strong performance in net, making seven saves to record her fourth shutout of the season – all coming in Sun Belt Conference matches.

“Courtney did a good job of managing the game,” Dooley said.
The Owls will return to the pitch on Friday, October 29 when they battle rival Florida International University, beginning at 7 p.m., from the FAU Soccer Stadium, 777 Glades Road on the Boca Raton campus. It will be Senior Night for the team.

“It is nice going into that final match not needing a result in order to qualify for the tournament,” said Dooley. “We still have a chance to post a winning conference record at 6-5. After last year’s disappointing season, in which we didn’t make the tournament, another victory would mean a lot and give us some positive momentum heading into postseason play.”
Live statistics of Friday’s match against the Golden Panthers can be viewed at www.fausports.com