Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
5-4-1
Denver
3-3-3
Lehtinen, Owls Upend Pioneers, 1-0
10/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2007
BOCA RATON, FL - Susanna Lehtinen made her presence felt in her return to the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team in a 1-0 win over defending Sun Belt Champion Denver at FAU Field on Friday night.
The Espoo, Finland native, who missed last weekend's games to train with the Finland national team, took a brilliant pass from Alicia Tirelli in the fourth minute and was able to flick the ball up and over the goalkeeper in one motion for the game's only goal. It was her third of the season.
"This was probably one of the more hard-fought wins that we've had in my time here," Head Coach Brian Dooley said."Denver is a quality team who really had total control of the game on the posession side of things, but we adapted well to being forced into the counter attack."
The game started with clear skies but they quickly darkened, and the teams played in pouring rain for several minutes before the game was delayed by lightning in the 34th minute.
Denver's two best chances for the equalizer came on free kicks just outside the box right before the weather delay, but the Pioneers' leading scorer Jenna Billingsley fired a pair of shots off target, one over the net and the other wide.
Shots at the break were 4-3 in favor of Denver, but the FAU defense would clamp down in the second half. The Owls did not allow a shot attempt in the final 45 minutes, as the game slowed dramatically due to the wet conditions and continuing rainfall.
Florida Atlantic would register three shot attempts in the second half, including Tirelli's header that clanked off the outside of the crossbar. Denver goalkeeper Mackenzie Snyder made two saves in the contest, while FAU goalkeeper Jessica Badders was not asked to make a save but had to intercept several crossing attempts near the mouth of the Owl goal.
"It wasn't a pretty game, but it was an effective game," said Dooley. "This was an important win for our program."
With the win, Florida Atlantic (5-4-1, 2-1-0 SBC) picks up its first win over Denver (3-3-3, 0-1-1 SBC) after falling twice to the Pioneers last season, including a loss in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Owls are now 4-1-1 in their last six games.
The Owls will host North Texas on Sunday at FAU Field. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Team Stats
Lehtinen, Susanna (3)
Assisted By: Tirelli, Alicia
cross r to l, 11 took it mid air and one
3:57
