Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Tournament Seeding on the Line in Final Contest
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 24, 2006
BOCA RATON, FL -- With the Sun Belt Conference Tournament looming, the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team will welcome Florida International to FAU Field this Friday for the team's final regular season contest.
The Owls (9-7-2, 6-4-0 SBC) have been given a lift by the recent play of junior Alicia Tirelli and the return of sophomore Allyssa Eramo from injury. Both players have played critical roles during the team's current five-game winning streak. Tirelli has four goals and two assists in her last three games, while Eramo returned to the lineup versus UALR and scored a goal and an assist in the second half of a 2-0 FAU win.
Megan Coyne has taken over full-time duties in net for the Owls, after sharing time with Jessica Badders early in the season similar to the situation FAU had in net last season. Coyne has stepped up her play of late, and recently had a shutout streak of 383:29 minutes that came to an end in a 3-1 win over Arkansas State last weekend.
The Florida International offense is led by Nanna Rasmussen and Camilla Durrant, who enter the season's final week with 4 goals and 1 assist each. The Golden Panther attack is strengthened by Michelle Casadevall and Lonne Godskesen, who have added three tallies each.
In goal, FIU relies on Madeline Gannon to keep shots out of its net. The goalkeeper has played in all 14 of FIU's contests this season, registering 1,244 minutes in net. She's allowed 30 goals for a 2.17 goals-against average while making 68 saves and posting a pair of solo shutouts. She's also split one shutout with backup keeper Jessica Vaccaro.
In terms of seeding, FAU is currently fifth, one game behind Western Kentucky. The Owls hold the tiebreaker with the Hilltoppers, so if the Owls defeat the Golden Panthers and the Hilltoppers fall to Middle Tennessee, the Owls will finish fourth. This is the only scenario where FAU would climb in the standings.
Should the Owls lose to the Golden Panthers, the Owls would run the risk of falling to sixth with a Louisiana-Lafayette victory over Louisiana-Monroe. With a ULL loss, FAU would clinch at least the no. 5 seed.
Florida International meanwhile is fighting for its tournament life. They are currently tied for the eighth and final tournament spot with UALR at 3-7-0 in conference play.
If FAU finishes fourth or fifth, they will face Western Kentucky in the opening round. Should the Owls fall to sixth, they could face Middle Tennessee or North Texas. FAU defeated Western Kentucky at FAU Field earlier this season, but dropped a home decision to MTSU and lost a road contest to UNT.
