Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Women's Soccer Faces Atlantic Sun Showdown
10/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 9, 2003
BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's women's soccer team returns home after a two-game road trip, hoping to take the lead in the Atlantic Sun conference. The Lady Owls (9-3, 4-1 A-Sun), ranked 10th in the southeast region by SoccerBuzz and the NSCAA, will play Mercer on Friday at 7 pm and Georgia State on Sunday at 2 pm. The Bears are 3-6-1 and 0-2 in the A-Sun, while the Lady Panthers are 11-2 overall and 3-0 in A-Sun play.
Florida Atlantic has scored eight goals in its last two games, the highest scoring output in two consecutive games for the Lady Owls this year. Rhonda Jones has led the charge, recording three goals and an assist. Freshman Christina Chang found her scoring touch as well, with two goals in two games after not scoring in her previous eight games. In addition, Janine Aylward continues her torrid streak of six points in her last five games.
Although the offense has begun to show signs of life, the team's defensive play has consistently kept it in games. Through 12 games, the defense has allowed only seven goals, the fewest in the A-Sun. Senior Danielle Castro, the Atlantic Sun Defensive Player-of-the-Week for the week of Sept. 29 - Oct. 6, leads a defensive unit that has allowed five shots or fewer in its last four games. Molly Keating is second in the conference with a 0.62 goals-against average.
FAU has won its last four games against Mercer, and leads the all-time series 4-2. The Lady Owls have outscored the Bears 18-2 in the four wins, including last year's record breaking 7-0 win. Lisanne Peart has scored four goals in two career games against Mercer while Lauren Lucena, Aylward and Castro have each scored a goal. Mercer is led on offense by Darcy Kibler while keeper Lauren Burch is fifth in the conference with a 1.83 goals-against average.
Georgia State, the lone unbeaten team in the A-Sun, will try for revenge from last season's 2-1 loss. Jones scored the game-tying goal with ten minutes remaining and Danielle Castro set up the game-winning goal with a long cross two minutes later. GSU is led offensively by Brooks Daniel and Sarah Feske. Both players have each tallied six goals through thirteen games. FAU is 3-0 all-time against the Lady Panthers. GSU could enter Sunday's game against FAU with loss in the A-Sun, as the team plays Central Florida on Friday night.
Kids who wear their youth soccer jersey to the games can purchase tickets for only $1. Season ticket packages can still be purchased. Adult packages begin at $35 while individual ticket prices are $4 for adults and $2 for seniors/children. For more information call 866-FAU-OWLS.
