Lehtinen Lifts Owls Past Hurricanes

Friday, September 8

Boca Raton, Fla.

7:30 PM

Florida Atlantic

1-2-2

Miami

5-1-0

OT 3

OT 4

Miami

Florida Atlantic

9/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 8, 2006

Box Score

BOCA RATON, FL - Susanna Lehtinen's first goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time for the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team.

In the 102nd minute, Lehtinen attacked the box and was fouled hard by a Miami defender. She would bury the ensuing penalty kick, giving FAU a 2-1 double-overtime victory and handing Miami its first loss on the year.

"The way it's been going early in the season we've had to fight hard for our opportunities. They score an own goal late in the game and it really started to seem like we just couldn't catch a break," head coach Brian Dooley said. "I told the team to stop playing so passively and find a way."

The first half was split in terms of dominating play. The Hurricanes (5-1-0) came out early, firing the first four shots of the game. The Owls (1-2-2) would fight back, and out-shot the Hurricanes 8-2 the rest of the first half.

The second half also featured spurts of inspired play on both sides. Miami held the pace of the game early, while the Owls controlling the play late.

The defenses clamped down, and there were just six total shots in the second half (4-2, FAU) with three on goal (2-1, Miami). Three of those shot attempts came in the first six minutes of the half, including both of Miami's attempts.

Despite not registering a shot the rest of the way, Miami would get on the board first. Off a play in front of the net, the ball was redirected off an FAU defender and into the team's own goal in the 82nd minute.

Much like the previous game versus South Florida in which Florida Atlantic tied the game in the final minute of regulation after a late goal seemed to seal the Owls' fate, FAU once again responded with a late goal of its own just six minutes later.

In the 88th minute, Alicia Tirelli took a cross from Beckie Ware, ran laterally across the box and then split a pair of Hurricane defenders before tucking her shot inside the far goal post for her second tally of the season.

Defense dominated the first overtime frame, with just one shot on goal. With the weather hot and humid, both teams were trying to muster that one final push.

"We found a way. I told them you have all day tomorrow to rest. Make something happen," Dooley said.

Just over a minute into the second overtime, Lehtinen made a push from the left sideline into the box on a dazzling move that allowed her to escape a Hurricane defender. The second Miami defender went for the hard tackle, and Lehtinen made Miami pay.

"She made a great individual run, drew the penalty, and then had the composure to knock home the penalty kick," Dooley said.

Jessica Badders got the start in net and blanked the Hurricanes for 45 minutes. Megan Coyne played the second half and both overtimes, picking up the win while allowing the own goal. Badders made three saves, Coyne two.

The Owls will face their fourth in-state opponent in as many games on Sunday when they welcome Stetson to FAU Field for a 2 p.m. start. The game is the back half of a men's and women's soccer double-header.