Owls Take Early Lead But Drop Conference Opener

Friday, September 22

Boca Raton, Fla.

5:30 PM

Florida Atlantic

3-4-2 (0-1-0)

Middle Tennessee

7-2-0 (1-0-0)

MTSU

Florida Atlantic

9/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 22, 2006

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL -- In the first Sun Belt Conference match for the women's soccer team of Florida Atlantic University, it looked early on like many of last season's Atlantic Sun Conference games looked.

The Owls took an early 1-0 lead while playing strong defense and maintaining possession of the ball for the majority of the early going. Susanna Lehtinen scored her fifth goal of the season, pushing a shot past the keeper inside the far post in the 12th minute of the game on great one-touch passing by Tessa McGarrity and Michele Fazzari.

The defensive play of the first half belonged to sophomore defender Janeke Simpkins, who redirected a blast off the foot of Blue Raider forward Kala Morgan from well inside the box, with half of an empty net staring back.

As the first half progressed, Middle Tennessee started evening up the momentum, however. After half time, the two teams pushed back and forth, each having chances but both failing to convert.

Then, in the 64th minute, Holly Grogan broke past the Owl defense and tapped a shot past Megan Coyne for the equalizer. Teams would trade chances again, including a strong chance for FAU off the foot of McGarrity that went just wide.

With time winding down, it seemed as though the game was headed for overtime. With just under three minutes to play in the second half, the ball was redirected off an Owl defender to Mary Zapapas from just outside the box, who blasted a shot that curved into the upper right-hand corner just inside the post for the go-ahead goal.

Jessica Badders got the start in goal for FAU, making three saves and not allowing a goal. Coyne played the second half and took the loss, giving up both MTSU goals.

The loss evens up the all-time series at one apiece between FAU and MTSU.

The Owls (3-4-2) will return to the field on Sunday at FAU Field, when they welcome Western Kentucky to South Florida for a 1 p.m. kickoff.