Women’s Soccer Edged Out in Opener

Friday, August 17

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

0-1-0

Miami

1-0-0

Miami

Florida Atlantic

8/17/2018 11:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The season opener for the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team came down to the final horn, but the Owls were topped by the slimmest of margins, 3-2, by Miami at FAU Stadium.

Turning Point:
It took just 1:34 for the season's first goal, courtesy of FAU junior Mary O'Hara. Teammate Tiril Haga played it ahead, and O'Hara split two defenders and beat the UM goalkeeper for the early lead. The Hurricanes would tie it in the 12th minute, take the lead in the 30th, and extend the advantage 15 minutes into the second half.

The Finish:
Trailing by two, it only took FAU 1:23 to cut it back down, and it was the opposite of the previous connection, with O'Hara putting it over the top to Haga. The fellow junior made a close defender whiff, and knocked it off the post and in. That made it 3-2 in the 61st minute. The Owls had multiple opportunities in the final nearly 30 minutes, especially late. Kaila Armstrong's attempt with 1:15 left was just wide, as was an attack at the horn by fellow newcomer Gi Krstec.

Notables:

The Owls were able to get run from 19 players, including six making their FAU debut: starters Krstec, Madison Davenport and Hailey Landrus, and subs Armstrong, Darien Davis and Emma Grissom
Goalkeeper Jennifer Ocampo and defenders Landrus, Ebba Blomqvist and Alex Maxson tallied the entirety of the match
O'Hara and Krstec each had two shots, towards the team's six (the other two were by Haga and Armstrong)

Quotable:
"You kind of have an empty feeling, kind of similar to last year playing Florida," said Head Coach Patrick Baker. "Great crowd, great atmosphere, good game, and you come up a goal short. But, as we've told our players, we put these teams on our schedule not for the benefit of coming close."

Full Video with Coach Baker:

What's Next:
The squad is back at it again Sunday night, on the road to take on No. 7 Florida. The game will be aired on SEC Network +. Next week is two matches at home, and for tickets, visit www.fausports.com or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.