Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls have harmony in their corner
9/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2001
,THE PALM BEACH POST
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2001
By Marcus Nelson
Most women's soccer teams would be worried after losing a large senior class from a squad that set a school record for victories.
At Florida Atlantic, losing eight seniors from last year's 14-6 team isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The Owls battled internal strife last season as upperclassmen, mostly recruited by former coach Kim Wyant, had trouble adjusting to sharing playing time with freshmen who made up current coach Brian Dooley's first recruiting class.
The Owls are looking forward to allowing their freshmen and sophomores lead the team this year.
"AT this point, a large part is where the players stand physically and technically, but it will all come down to heart and desire, and that's where it's important to blend the team," said Dooley, in his third season. "If everybody is working for each other, the heart and desire isn't an issue."
And that makes for a better team, said junior forward Lisanne Peart, who scored17 goals to lead the Owls last season.
"I think the key is that this year , we get along," Peart said. "Last year, the team was split in many directions."
Sophomore defender Rhonda Jones returns, as does sophomore goalkeeper Molly Keating, who was named to the conference's all-freshman team after posting a 1.09 goals-against average.
FAU lost to Jacksonville 2-1 in the conference championship game last year and is picked to finish third this year behind Jacksonville and Central Florida.
