FAU Survives and Advances on Penalty Kicks

Monday, November 1

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 PM

Florida Atlantic

6-6-5, 4-2-2

Charlotte

7-5-4, 3-2-3

Charlotte

FAUW

11/1/2021 11:48:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – It took 110 minutes and penalty kicks, but the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team advanced past Charlotte in a thrilling first round of the Conference USA Championship Tournament. The 2-2 draw was decided in PKs, in which the Owls prevailed 5-4.

The fourth-seeded Owls advance to play the West's top seed in Southern Miss. That game will be the last of Wednesday's quadruple header and will begin at 7 p.m.

How it Happened
Sammy Vitols punched it in to get FAU started on the right foot in the penalty kicks. Amit Cohen, the Owl keeper, came up big with a one-handed save on the next shot. After Bri Austin's shot sailed high, Charlotte drew even on the next kick.

The Owls and 49ers traded made kicks in the next two chances, with Emma Grissom and Hailey Landrus both coming through for FAU. After Miracle Porter was denied, Charlotte had a chance to win, yet Cohen delivered a huge save to keep FAU alive. Gi Krstec and Mia Sennes both converted, then Cohen lifted the Owls to the quarterfinals with another massive stop.

A Seesaw Battle
FAU found the back of the net first early in the 12th minute when Vitols found Porter with a splendid left-to-right cross. From in close on the right side, Porter punched in her sixth goal of the year with a header.

The Owls took a 1-0 lead into the break, but Charlotte tied it up just four minutes into the second half. Only three minutes later, the 49ers were dinged for a handball in the box, and Grissom nailed the penalty kick for her second goal of the year.

The back-and-forth affair continued, and Charlotte drew even in the 63rd minute. It appeared as if the Owls took the lead in the 66' when Grissom launched one that got past the Charlotte keeper and broke the plane, however FAU was called for a foul on the keeper to keep the match tied.

Quotes From Coach Baker
"It was an exciting game between two very talented teams," FAU head coach Patrick Baker said. We couldn't be more proud of our girls. We scored a great first goal, but then let them back in it in the second half. We got it back quickly off the PK handball, but then probably didn't manage the next portion of the game too well. However, I thought we finished strong and played well in the overtimes. All in all, in tournament time, you have to survive and advance, and that's exactly what we did tonight."

Full Interview With Coach Baker

The Owls will face Southern Miss. on Nov. 3, with match time scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday's action will feature four quarterfinal games beginning at 11 a.m. FAU will serve as the host for the duration of the conference tournament.