Owls Stifle Stetson 4-1 in Season Opener

Friday, August 21

Deland, Fla.

7:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

1-0-0

Stetson

0-1-0

FAU

Stetson

8/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 21, 2015

Final Stats

DELAND, Fla. -- The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team opened the 2015-16 FAU Athletics season with a 4-1 victory at Stetson Friday night.

"We got a good road result tonight and managed a 4-1 win," FAU Head Coach Patrick Baker said. "Stetson had a lot of the play early and we seemed a step behind collectively." The Owls (1-0) saw two goals netted by newcomer Geovana Alves while seniors Claire Emslie and Taylor Townsend contributed one goal each.

Alves put the Owls on the board in the 16th minute on a goal assisted by Emslie. Townsend then doubled the lead in the final minute of the opening half with her first goal of the year on an assist by Katie Englert.

In the 61st minute, Stetson (0-1) cut the lead back to a lone point as the Hatters' Autumn Matthews scored on a header off of a corner kick.

Emslie netted her 23rd career goal in the 87th minute to return the FAU lead to two once more at 3-1. Less than two minutes later, Alves struck again. The junior headed in a goal after the ball just glanced off the hands of the Stetson keeper to seal the victory.

Sydney Drinkwater earned the win in net, making three saves on the evening.

"We learned a number of things about ourselves and I'm excited for what this group can become," Baker said. "Our soccer was good at times, but we turned it over way too many times and will need to improve some areas before UNF on Sunday. We played 20 players and are still working on a starting lineup plus some kind of rotation. I'm excited to start the 2015 campaign and the girls were excited to score 4 goals on the night."

The win, coupled with last year's victory at USF, marks the first time the Owls have won back-to-back season openers since 2004 and 2005.

FAU remains on the road to face North Florida on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. The Owls host Miami for their home opener on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit FAUSports.com.