FAU Takes No. 20 Florida to Overtime

Sunday, August 24

Boca Raton, Fla,

2:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

0-1-0

Florida

1-0-1

OT 1

No. 20 FLORIDA

Florida Atlantic

8/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 24, 2008

Box Score | Action Photos

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida's Tahnai Annis scored four minutes into overtime to give the 20th-ranked Gators a 2-1 victory over host Florida Atlantic Sunday at FAU Field.

A goal in the first half had put Florida Atlantic (0-1) in front, a lead FAU held through the first 55 minutes of play.

No. 20 Florida (1-0-1) converted a second half penalty kick to even the game at one apiece and moments later FAU's Ashley Mannarino was issued a red card, forcing the Owls to play shorthanded with 29 minutes remaining in the second half.

"Today showed that we can play at the highest level," said FAU head coach Brian Dooley. "Our lack of composure may have ultimately cost us this match, but on the positive side I was really impressed with what I saw from some of our younger players and that's exciting as we move forward."

One of those young players, FAU sophomore Anhnhi Tran, netted the game's first goal in the 35th minute, cleaning up a deflected corner kick to give FAU the lead.

UF attackers Angela Napolitano and Megan Kerns both put shots on goal in the opening stages of the second half, with Florida noticeably stepping up its offensive pressure after the intermission. The duo accounted for eight of UF's 16 shots.

FAU senior goalkeeper Jessica Badders totaled six saves, including a leaping deflection of a Kerns' shot towards the upper corner of the far post during UF's offensive surge in the second half.

A downed UF attacker in front of the FAU net would lead to Florida's tying goal in the 60th minute. Kerns beat Badders on the penalty kick to even the match 1-1.

In overtime, Annis received a well-placed pass from Kerns and rolled a shot inside the left post - an opportune time for the high school All-American from Zanesville, Ohio, to score her first collegiate goal.

-Nick Mirkovich (FAU Media Relations)-