Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus UAB on October 19, 2025 at 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
Women's Soccer
vs. UAB
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Lady Owls Tie in First Scrimmage of Year
8/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 20, 2002
Boca Raton, FL - The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team, which recently was ranked second in the Atlantic Sun conference preseason poll, opened its preseason Monday with a 1-1 tie versus the Oceanside Blue Express, the Long Island U-16 Spring Division I Champions. The Lady Owls started the first half a little shaky but played up to expectations the second half scoring early in the period and shutting down the Blue Express.
"This was a typical first game after a tough three, four days of preseason," said Coach Brian Dooley. "Some of the rhythm was off, the timing was off and fitness level wasn't where it should be. But after the initial 20 minutes it seemed we were able to gather a bit of organization and started to get into the match. And we showed some signs that were very positive."
Oceanside, which was playing its third game in three days, came out strong to start the game, catching Florida Atlantic a little off-guard with their short, crisp passing game that pushed aggressively at the Lady Owls defense. Ten minutes into the game, Oceanside right defender Central Black sent a perfect cross pass in front of the net to a waiting Allie Long. Long headed the ball just pass FAU goalie Molly Keating's hands give Oceanside the 1-0 lead.
Florida Atlantic counter-attacked immediately with forward Trina Maso de Moya bringing the ball down the far side of the field past a few defenders for a cross that sailed over the head of forward Jessica Kmiotek. Maso de Moya, who was playing in her first competitive soccer game in four years, showed flashes of quickness and the ability to get open and make plays.
"I think Trina, for the first time playing a game in four years, showed she is going to be a force," said Dooley. "Tamea Wimmer also had a nice solid game for us at left back along with Lisa Rife at right back. Those are going to be two key positions for us as well."
Oceanside had another scoring threat late in the first half when Simone Canforotta drove a shot thru traffic and hit the post. Junior Danielle Castro immediately tried cleared the ball but was blocked by a barrage of white jerseys and the pending ricochet was sent flying over the crossbar out of play.
FAU appeared to be a different team altogether in the second half by coming out with force and aggressiveness that seemed to be lacking after an up and down first half. The midfield, led by junior Rhonda Jones and freshman Julie Ferguson, took control of the game play and created scoring opportunities. Freshman forward Danielle DiLeo took advantage of those opportunities by creating havoc in Oceanside's defense with four shots.
"We played five in midfield and then Kelly [Hoffman] came in and she really helped out a lot," says Jones. "We became more aggressive than the other team [in the second half] and I think that's what helped us tie the game."
Midway through the second half, the Lady Owls aggressiveness paid off with a goal by sophomore Kelly Hoffman that tied the game at 1-1. DiLeo started off the play with a corner kick that was immediately cleared by the Blue Express's defense. Kari Kaiser intercepted the cleared ball and drove through the defense, but keeper Jade Higgins made an amazing stop on the run that sent the ball to the right side of the goal to the waiting feet of Hoffman. The Evansville, IA native immediately settled the ball and struck a perfect shot just past the sprawling fingers of Higgins around the right post for the goal.
The Lady Owls open the regular season at FAU Field when they host the University of Memphis and Western Carolina in the Florida Atlantic Kick-off Classic. FAU takes on Memphis Friday at 7:00 pm and Western Carolina Sunday at 2:00 pm.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #10
Thursday, October 16
2025 Florida Atlantic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Wednesday, October 15
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #9
Thursday, October 09
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 #7
Thursday, September 25