Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Owls Fall Seasons Come to an End
12/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Dec. 16, 2005
BOCA RATON - The 2005 fall semester has come to a close with several of the teams posting record setting seasons for Florida Atlantic University.
Women's soccer came to a close with a 16-3-1 record, the program's first Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Championship, and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. While it always takes a total team effort, several were honored for outstanding achievement. Head Coach Brian Dooley was named the Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year. Susanna Lehtinen earned the A-Sun Player-of-the-Year honors while Alicia Tirelli earned the Conference Championship MVP honor. Several players were also nationally ranked, including Molly Keating who finished second in the national with a 0.273 goals against average as a goalkeeper. The Owls faced Florida State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, out-playing them in every aspect except the final score.
The volleyball team had similar results posting a 29-3 record. Like soccer, they captured both the regular-season and the tournament championship crowns. Head Coach Jody Brown was named Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year. Kelly Paiva earned A-Sun player of the year, tournament MVP, and honorable mention All-America honors. She also set a new standard after being selected as the leagues player of the league five times.
Men's soccer, football, and the cross country seasons came to a close in November. The men's soccer schedule was interrupted by two hurricanes forcing the squad to make up games late in the season. The cross country teams also needed to re-group with Hurricane Wilma hitting the week prior to the A-Sun Championships. The women's team completed one of the program's most successful regular seasons.
Football concluded its first year of full Division I-A competition. The squad opened the year with more than 40 freshmen and sophomores taking the field each day and saw the 2005 schedule come to a close with a 2-9 record. The season saw the Owls play at Kansas, Minnesota, Louisville and hosted Oklahoma State. The FAU youngsters faced four teams that will participate in "Bowl Games" this year. Seniors Shomari Earls and Willie Hughley earned first team All-Conference honors while quarterback Danny Embick, who saw his season come to a quick close with a broken thumb, and offensive lineman Jarrid Smith earned honorable mention honors.
As the seasons shift towards winter, the swim teams and basketball squads are in full gear. Several swimmers have already earned consideration for the NCAA Championships. Head Coach Matt Doherty and the men's basketball team have the campus buzzing. Three home games have been played, all three nail biting victories that saw record crowds in attendance. Shontavia Williams became the women's basketball 1,000 point club's newest member and are witnessing her assault on the record books. Like the men, they are perfect in conference play heading into 2006.
To follow the teams please visit www.fausports.com or call for tickets at 1-866-FAU-Owls.
