Three Unanswered Goals Lift Owls

Tuesday, September 14

Boca Raton, Fla.

7 PM

Florida Atlantic

4-1-0

Florida Gulf Coast

0-4-1

FGCU

Fla. Atlantic

9/14/2021 11:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team (4-1-0) pulled out a gutsy team win over Florida Gulf Coast (0-4-1) Tuesday evening, 3-2 in overtime. FAU fell behind two goals at the 60th minute, but goals from Leo Keller and Filip Jauk, who cashed in on the game winner, helped the Owls finish the night with a walkoff victory.

How It Was Decided

First Half
The Owls fell behind halfway through the first half, as FGCU's O'Vonte Mullings broke away from his defender with his speed to fire the ball through the back of the net. FAU had the edge in shots, 6-5, at the end of the first 45 minutes, but found troubles connecting for the equalizing goal. The Owls went into the half down, 1-0.

Second Half
FGCU would tack on to its lead after Mullings scored his second goal of the night at the 60th minute. FAU's head coach Joey Worthen made some adjustments in substitutions following the Eagle's goal to find the momentum the team needed, as they trailed 2-0. Tom Abrahamsson, who took all seven of FAU's corner kicks and mostly all of FAU's free kicks on the night, created an opportunity for the Owls, as his ball found Vasilis Spinos, who headed the ball that fell in Keller's direction for the goal. The first-year Owl slid for the goal to record the first of his career at the 65th minute of the match to make it a 2-1 game.

A few minutes later, FGCU's Jahvanie Hammond was issued two yellow cards in 23 seconds, forcing the Eagles to play down a man the rest of the way. With the Eagles playing with 10 guys the rest of the way, the Owls took advantage. At the 72nd minute, Jauk cashed in on the equalizing goal. After Keller's shot was off the hands of the FGCU keeper, the ball fell right in Jauk's lap for the goal. Moments later, the FGCU bench was issued a red card with a little over 15 minutes left in regulation. Both sides looked for the golden opportunity, but came up empty, forcing the Owls to play their first overtime minutes of the season.

Overtime
Halfway through the first overtime period, neither side was unable to get off a shot. With the ball on FAU's side of the field, Pontus Steffensen found an open Jauk off a cross whose shot rolled slowly past the FGCU goalkeeper. Jauk's goal sent the Owls off with a huge 3-2 overtime walkoff win at the 98th minute.

Of Note

Jauk's two goals marks the first multi-goal match of his collegiate career. The freshman drew the start tonight, playing 80 minutes with four shots. The game-winning goal is his second of the season
Keller logged the first goal of his career, coming off the bench to play 66 minutes tonight
Spinos tallied the first assist of his career and now has three points on the year
Steffensen also had his first assist off the golden goal
Neil Strauber played all 98 minutes in goal with a career high eight saves
Abrahamsson was the only Owl to play all 98 minutes of the match
Graeme Pratt was big for the Owls' backline in the second half, tallying 53 minutes
Chadi Mayati played a critical 29 minutes in the second half in his first appearance as an Owl
Micael Lervik also picked up some big minutes in the second half with 38
The Owls now lead the Eagles in the series, 6-5-2. FAU has picked up at least a point in the past three matches against FGCU

Worthen's Words of Wisdom

Highlights

Up Next

Next Tuesday, Sept. 21, FAU will hit the road for the first time since August to play at Coastal Carolina to open up C-USA play. Live stats are available HERE while live video can be streamed on ESPN+.

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