FAU Drops Saturday’s Matchup to No. 9 Charlotte, 3-1

Saturday, October 5

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 PM

Florida Atlantic

3-5-0 (0-3-0)

No. 9 Charlotte

8-0-2 (3-0-1)

Charlotte

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

10/5/2019 10:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team (3-5-0, 0-3-0) fell short in their Conference USA matchup against No. 9 Charlotte (8-0-2, 3-0-1) Saturday night. Both teams went into halftime knotted up, 1-1, but the 49ers pulled away in the second, scoring goals in the 57th and 79th minutes of the game. The Owls would drop the match, 3-1.

How It Was Decided

After 19 minutes of scoreless play, Charlotte struck first to capitalize off a turnover. The Owls came up with the equalizer in the 35th minute scored by Arturo Ernand, who claimed his first goal of the season, second of his young career. Alex Alexis was in on the assist, and continues to lead the team with five on the season.

The Owls were restricted to shots in the second half, as they were outshot by the 49ers 5-3. Limited opportunities in the box made it difficult to recover from the two goals Charlotte scored to pick up their eighth win of the season.

Coach Worthen's Take

You guys have ranked multiple top-ranked teams this season, how has that affected your play coming in?
"I think it has prepared us for games like this, playing these top teams," said head coach Joey Worthen. "I felt confident going into [the game]. I think they have shown throughout the course of the season they can play with anyone in the country."

Alexis got his fifth assist tonight, which leads the team. How has his play impacted the team so far this season?
"It's really good. He's a dynamic player. I think when we get into these conference games, everyone knows who he is and I think he can still make things happen like he did clearly on that goal and we got away from that. We weren't looking to do that enough and I think both wings really need to generate some attack and we kind of fell short in that area, so it was a little frustrating."

What do think a game like this sets up for the rest of the season?
"Hopefully [this game] is a wakeup call. We need to start picking up points in conference. We have played well throughout the season and have played really good ranked teams, but we have to start getting more results now. I think they are fully capable of it, but we need to start getting them."

Of Note

Ernand picked up his first goal of the season
Alexis continues to be the team leader in assists with five on the season after his one tonight
Alonso Coello Camarero recorded three shots on the night. He now has 10 on the season, which ties Edgardo Obregon with the second most on the team. Ivan Mykhailenko leads the Owls with 13
Hagay Jalon played in all 90 minutes, recording four saves on the night

Up Next

The Owls will look to bounce back on Friday, as they face Keiser at 5:30 p.m. at FAU Soccer Stadium. The match is the frontend of a doubleheader with the women's team following at 7:30 p.m. in a C-USA matchup against UTSA. Admission to both matches is free to all fans.

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