McGarrity Helps Owls Earn Tie with Rams

Sunday, August 27

Boca Raton, Fla.

2:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

0-1-1

VCU

1-0-1

OT 3

OT 4

Virginia Commonwealt

Florida Atlantic

8/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 27, 2006

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL -- Tessa McGarrity's first collegiate goal helped Florida Atlantic University earn a 1-1 tie with No. 25 Virginia Commonwealth in women's soccer on Sunday.

"It was a great effort for our team coming from behind. It's a step forward from yesterday. We felt we had good opportunities to win the game as well. It's a great game against a quality opponent," head coach Brian Dooley said.

With the Owls facing an early deficit for the second time in as many days, McGarrity came off the bench in the second half and provided an offensive spark when she broke through the back line and beat the Rams' goalkeeper in the 73rd minute at the 73:56 mark.

The fortunate break for FAU happened to be that McGarrity was going to be subbed out at the next opportunity when she scored the goal.

FAU fell behind 1-0 in the 13th minute when Hayley Moorwood of VCU beat Megan Coyne on a cross off a free kick.

As the contest unfolded, the game looked eerily similar to the previous contest with College of Charleston. FAU was generating a lot of scoring opportunities and pressure, but couldn't convert.

The Owls held a 12-8 shot advantage for the game, including an 8-4 margin in the first 45 minutes.

Allyssa Eramo led the Owls with five shot attempts (two on goal), while Michele Fazzari took three. A laser shot off the foot of Eramo in the 31st minute nearly pulled the Owls even in the first half, but VCU keeper Lauren Hardison dove and knocked the ball away on a brilliant save. Fazzari nearly tied the game eight minutes earlier in the 23rd minute when her header hit the crossbar.

The FAU goalkeepers once again split time in net, with Coyne getting the start and playing the first half, while Jessica Badders played the second. Coyne was in net for both overtime periods.

The game was a rematch of last season's contest in Richmond, VA where the Rams escaped with a 2-1 double-overtime victory.

The Owls will take their first road trip of the season this week, as they head to Orlando, FL to take on the Golden Knights of UCF on September 1 at 7 p.m.. Two days later, they'll trek to Tampa, FL where they will match up with the Bulls of USF at 1 p.m.