Owls Advance to Championship Game

Friday, November 4

Boiling Springs, N.C.

4:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

15-3-1

Jacksonville

8-10-3

Team	1	2	Final F
Jacksonville	0	0	0
Florida Atlantic	1	1	2

11/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Nov. 4, 2005

Box Score

Boiling Springs, N.C -- The Jacksonville Jinx is over.

Florida Atlantic University finally defeated Jacksonville University in the Atlantic Sun women's soccer championships.

The 2-0 victory marked the first win in four meetings over the past six seasons for FAU vs. JU during championship play. The Dolphins had won the previous three, ending the Owls' season each time.

Jacksonville was the only A-Sun team Florida Atlantic did not shut out or defeat during the regular season. The two teams tied 2-2 on Sept. 30. In that game, the offense got off to a slow start before scoring two second-half goals to earn the tie.

This time, the offense sparked from the opening whistle. Within the first five minutes, the Owls created three legitimate scoring chances. They would have several more before Katri Nokso-Koivisto broke through in the 37th minute for the game's first goal.

Natalie D'Oria had an outstanding scoring opportunity in the 57th minute, but Dolphin keeper Michelle Kmiotek knocked her shot away.

The save seemed to turn the momentum a bit, as JU would pressure the FAU defense for the next several minutes. They held strong however, and Alicia Tirelli put the game away with her shot from inside the box.

The shutout was the eighth consecutive for FAU, and their 15th on the year. The defense was once again smothering for the Owls, as they allowed just two shot attempts and one on goal. Jessica Badders got the start and was not asked to make a save. Megan Coyne played the second-half and made one stop.

The win means an A-Sun Championship game birth and a shot at not only the Owls' first postseason championship, but a chance to punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Owls will face the winner of tonight's Campbell/Stetson match at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

During regular season play, the Owls played both the Camels and Hatters at home. They defeated CU 2-0 and Stetson 3-0.