Women’s Soccer Picks up Win No. 1, Topping Denver

Thursday, August 23

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

1-2-0

Denver

0-2-1

Denver

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

8/23/2018 10:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team overcame visiting Denver with a goal in the 73rd minute to record their first win of the young 2018 season, 2-1 on Thursday night at FAU Soccer Stadium.

Turning Point:
For the second time in three matches, FAU (1-2-0) notched a score in the game's first five minutes, with a perfectly executed give-and-go giving the home squad the early lead. Gi Krstec went to her right to Kaila Armstrong, who gave it back, and Krstec beat the DU (0-2-1) keeper to her left for an early 1-0 lead. The Pioneers tied it up later in the first half to make it 1-1.

The Finish:
The game-winner came as a direct result of FAU's fifth corner kick of the second half, as Mimi Godoy set up Elisha Holmes perfectly on the far side of the box for a well-timed header. The Owls' defense tightened late and did not allow a second equalizer to come away with the victory.

Notables:

Krstec notched her first goal as an Owl and leads the squad in shot attempts in the early going
For Armstrong, in her first FAU start, it was her first FAU assist
Holmes' first goal of the year is the eighth of her career, and Godoy recorded her third career assist
Jennifer Ocampo had five saves in her first win of 2018
She, Hailey Landrus, Alex Maxson and Jessica Monteiro played the entire 90
With two goals on Thursday, this marks just the second time in program history that an Owls' team has scored multiple times in the first three matches of the year (the other being in 2000)

Quotable:
"(Denver is) a tremendous team," said Head Coach Patrick Baker. "This was really a fun game to be a part of. It was end-to-end action, their system was implemented in the game, our system at times was the impression in the game … The game was back and forth, chances for both, we had a number of corners tonight and it was just nice to see us connect on one."

Full Video with Coach Baker:

What's Next:
Baylor is the team's next opponent, also at home, and comes in with a preseason ranking of No. 15. The Owls and Bears have a 6 p.m. kickoff on tap Sunday night at FAU Soccer Stadium. Get your tickets by visiting www.fausports.com or calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS.