Women’s Soccer Takes League Opener Over Marshall

Friday, September 14

Huntington, W.Va.

7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

3-6-0, 1-0-0

Marshall

2-4-2, 0-1-0

Florida Atlantic

Marshall

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

9/14/2018 9:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team scored twice in the first half and made that lead hold up for the final 60 minutes, giving the squad a 2-1 Friday night win over Marshall in their 2018 Conference USA opener, and Head Coach Patrick Baker his 50th win at the school in the process.

Turning Point:
The Owls (3-6-0, 1-0-0 C-USA) took the lead in the 18th minute when Pernille Velta crossed to the left side of the box, and Sammy Vitols bent it up and over the Marshall (2-4-2, 0-1-0 C-USA) goalkeeper. A second goal was created by Vitols as well, in the 30th, as she sent in the a corner kick that snuck behind the backline and off of a Thundering Herd defender for an own goal and a 2-0 FAU lead.

The Finish:
Though it only took 3:37 after the halftime break for Marshall to halve the lead, that was all the home team would get. The Herd would have three more shots in the second half, but two were saved by FAU goalkeeper Brianna Waggoner, making her first collegiate start, while the other was not on target.

Notables:

Vitols notched her first goal of the season and second of her two-year career
Velta extended her team high to five with the helper
Waggoner faced 10 total shots and had the two saves in her first start and victory
Centerbacks Alex Maxson and Ebba Blomqvist played all 90, as did holding mid Jessica Monteiro
Next on the ledger was Emma Grissom at 84 minutes, Carolynn Wotring at 82 and Mary O'Hara with 73
Each team had 10 shots on the night
The Owls improved to 5-0 all-time against Marshall
Not only does Friday's win put Baker at 50 at FAU, it puts him five victories away from 300 in his collegiate coaching career

Quotable:
"Pleased for the girls after the non-conference stretch we've had," said Head Coach Patrick Baker. "I thought we started off very well, one good goal to start, one fortuitous goal which ended up being the game-winner, own goal off a corner kick. Marshall definitely had some of the game tonight, came out in the second half and got on the board quickly and made the game really interesting and lively. I thought the last 15-16 minutes we started to get a hold of the game and then we had really good clock management to close things out. Just happy to start off conference play 1-0."

Full Video with Coach Baker:

What's Next:
The Owls return home and do not have another match this weekend, and will instead prepare for two home tilts next. This upcoming Thursday, it's a non-conference matchup with Oral Roberts, and on Sunday afternoon, the home C-USA opener versus UAB. Buy tickets by visiting www.fausports.com or calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS.