Owls Triple up Oakland in Opener

Thursday, August 19

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 PM

Florida Atlantic

1-0-0

Oakland

0-1-0

Oakland

Florida Atlantic

8/19/2021 10:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Three different goal scorers – two with their first goals in their first match in an Owl uniform – pushed Florida Atlantic University women's soccer past Oakland in the season opener for both teams Thursday night, 3-0 inside FAU Stadium.

The Beginning
Midway through the first half, with each team looking for the year's first score, it was a true freshman that opened it up. Seconds after entering into the match in her collegiate debut, Kaylin Johnston rocketed in a goal to give FAU a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute.

The Turning Point / The Finish:
Still up by that slim margin, the Owls poured in two more in the span of 5 1/2 minutes. Molly Setsma doubled the edge in the 79th, and Bri Austin – like Johnston, in her first FAU match – made it 3-0 in the 84th. The Owls' defense was not tested much, with just a shot in each half by the Golden Grizzlies.

Notables:

Austin and Mia Sennes also assisted on Johnston's goal, and Austin took the most shots on the night for the squad with five
Two assists were credited on the middle score, to Fabiola Menendez, and to Sennes once more
The final tally also included an assist off a throw-in by Hunter Koziara
Goalkeeper Amit Cohen needed just one save in the win. She, Hailey Landrus, Amanda Martin and Jodi Smith played the full 90'
Seven Owls made their FAU debut: Smith, Austin, Johnston, Menendez, Heather Squitieri, Erin McRae and Lauren Holland

Quotable:
"I thought we did a lot of good things for it being the first game out of the gate," said head coach Patrick Baker. "Kaylin (Johnston) had just come on, freshman, picks a nice moment to pick up a ball top of the box and place it side-netting, far post. Gave us a huge lift going into halftime. Second half, I thought we started brightly. It was warm, so we used numbers in the first half, needless to say. Then Molly (Setsma) … great to have her get the second goal, and then truly the insurance goal late from Bri (Austin)."

Full Video with Coach Baker:

What's Next:
In three days, FAU travels to take on Miami in a Sunday evening affair, starting at 6 p.m. in Coral Gables.