Owls Earn Three Points at ODU

Sunday, March 21

Norfolk, Va.

11 AM

Florida Atlantic

4-2-2, 1-2-0

Old Dominion

1-1-2, 0-1-2

FAU

Old Dominion

Photo by: Keith Lucas, Old Dominion Athletics

3/21/2021 3:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

NORFOLK, Va. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team (4-2-2, 1-2 in Conference USA) earned its way back into the win column after a 1-0 victory at Old Dominion (1-1-2, 0-1-2 C-USA) Sunday. Jean Paul Rafols delivered the game-winning goal off an assist from Jose Alastuey at the 67th minute to hand ODU its first loss of the season.

How It Was Decided

FAU outshot ODU, 6-2, in the first half, but neither team could connect. Both goalies captured two saves each in the first frame of play, and the score was tied at zero after 45 minutes of play.

To open up the second half, Ivan Mykhailenko took his third shot of the game, but his attempt was too high. The Owls would take two more shots, but they were off target. At the 66th minute, Rafols came into the game for Mykhailenko. Just 22 seconds later, Alastuey took a corner kick and found Rafols who headed the ball in the net. ODU would outshoot FAU 5-2 in the final 23 minutes of the match, including a shot on at the 90th minute, which was saved by Neil Strauber. Rafols' goal was all the Owls needed to earn a deserving three points in the standings.

Of Note

Rafols tallied his fifth career goal, first of the season. The goal also marked his second career game winner
Alastuey captured his first career assist on the goal. He also took two shots in the match
Mykhailenko lead the Owls with three shots with one of those on goal
Graeme Pratt and Alonso Coello Camarero also took two shots
Strauber delivered a great day at net, earning his fourth shutout of the season and matching a season-high six saves
Pratt and Strauber have competed every game in full this season, and that was no different on Sunday, as both played all 90 minutes. Daniel Skistad, Coello Camarero and Vasilis Spinos also played the full match
FAU has now beaten ODU two years in a row after tallying the school's first win over the squad last season

From Coach Worthen

"I'm proud of the guys," said head coach Joey Worthen. "This is a well-deserved shutout win on the road against an undefeated team. We created a number of chances and were a little unlucky not to find more goals, but the guys executed the game plan really well from back to front on both sides of the ball. We will enjoy this win today and then shift our focus to South Carolina!"

Up Next

FAU will return home next Saturday, March 27 to face South Carolina for a noon first touch.

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