Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Pressure Packed Week For Men's Soccer
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 24, 2006
BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team controls its own destiny entering its last two regular season matches in the Atlantic Soccer Conference.
The Owls (4-8-1 overall, 1-2-1 ASC) won their only match last week, defeating NJIT 2-0 in a match that was critical in keeping their conference tournament hopes alive. Wednesday's scheduled match at N.C. State was cancelled due to torrential rain.
FAU will now travel to Howard on Friday and Philadelphia on Sunday in its final two conference matches of the season. Howard has a record of 3-12-1 overall and 0-5-0 in ASC play. Philadelphia is 6-8-1 overall with a 3-2-0 conference record.
They will be the two biggest matches of the season for the Owls, but head coach Kos Donev said the pressure has not affected his players.
"They realize how important these matches are. There's going to be some tension and pressure, but that doesn't help you win," Donev said.
The Owls currently stand in 6th place with 4 points in conference play, however, they are the only team with two conference matches remaining. FAU will have to at least tie 4th place NJIT (7 points) in the standings. Longwood, in 5th place is ineligible for the postseason tournament. The Owls hold the tiebreaker over NJIT by benefit of their win this weekend.
That means the Owls must win at least one match this weekend to have any chance at making the conference tournament.
If FAU wins both matches... it makes the conference tournament.
If FAU wins a match and ties a match... it would need NJIT to lose or tie against Adelphi.
If FAU wins a match and loses a match... it would need NJIT to lose against Adelphi.
