Owls are 2005 A-Sun Champions

Saturday, November 5

Boiling Springs, N.C.

6:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

16-3-1

Campbell

8-9-2

Campbell

Florida Atlantic

11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Nov. 5, 2005

Box Score

Boiling Springs, N.C -- For the first time in school history, the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team is headed to the NCAA Championships.

The Owls (16-3-1) defeated 2004 Atlantic Sun Champion Campbell 2-0 on the strength of two first-half goals, and picked up their 16th shutout of the season en route to earning their first postseason A-Sun title and the NCAA Championship automatic berth that goes along with it.

"It's a milestone in our development. It's an absolute credit to all the kids that have been in this program prior to this point. They put us on the map, and it enabled us to get to this level," head coach Brian Dooley said.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Alicia Tirelli was fouled in the box in the 17th minute, giving teammate Denise Brolly a penalty kick opportunity. Brolly would convert, giving FAU the early 1-0 advantage.

In the 28th minute, Tirelli would score a tally of her own to give FAU the final margin of 2-0. The goal gave her five points in two games (2g,1a).

The Owl defense would take it from there, allowing just three shot attempts during the contest, and just five in two games during the championship. Megan Coyne got the start and extended her personal shutout streak to 705 minutes, making one stop. Jessica Badders played the second-half and also made one stop. The two have combined for the most shutouts in the nation.

Afterward, five Owls were named to the All-Tournament team, including the MVP Tirelli. Cristina Rodriguez, Meredith White, Denise Brolly, and Katri Nokso-Koivisto were also honored.

The Owls will face fierce competition in the NCAA Championship, something Coach Dooley tried to prepare his team for early this season.

"We don't get to play those teams every week. The ACC, Big East, those guys play big games every week. We do everything we can to prepare. That's why we played VCU and UCLA. By playing those teams it gets you better prepared for this situation," he said.

Facing several different styles, the Owls have built their game around adaptation, and will need it to make any sort of deeper post-season run.

"This group is able to play more than one way. We can posses, we can play the long game, we can battle. This group is well prepared for any style of play," he said.

FAU is also in a unique situation. Every win this season has come via the shutout. They were 0-3-1 when allowing a goal. However, Dooley doesn't think the team will panic should they finally allow a goal.

"I think falling behind 2-0 earlier in the year to Jacksonville allowed everyone to realize that those things can happen. Coming back to tie that game was huge. It turned our season around," Dooley said.

The Jacksonville game on Sept. 30 was the last time FAU allowed a goal. They have since gone on a shutout streak lasting 875:23. They have allowed just two goals in their last 1350 minutes of play.

The Owls must now wait to find out who, where and when they will be playing. They will find out everything during the NCAA Selection Show on ESPNews, Monday at 5 p.m.