Owls Draw with No. 20 Gators in Thrilling Home Match

Sunday, August 30

Boca Raton, Fla.

1:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

1-2-2, 0-0-0

No. 20 Florida

3-1-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Florida	0	1	1
Fla. Atlantic	0	1	1

Photo by: Ben Tate

8/30/2026 5:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Ben Paul

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic women's soccer team took No. 20 Florida to task at FAU Soccer Stadium, finishing in a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon. This marks the first time the Owls (1-2-2) have tied a nationally ranked opponent since 2007, also coming against the Gators (3-1-1), No. 9 at the time.

Junior Hailey Santiago was found by freshman Amelia Hillman for an equalizing goal in the second half. Combined with a strong performance in the net from Ashley Small, who recorded double-digit saves, the Owls held firm the rest of the way.

THE TURNING POINT
A first half clean sheet saw four saves from Small, but the scoreless start was broken three minutes into the second by the Gators.

In the 62nd minute, the Owls turned the corner with Hillman hitting Santiago on a breakaway. The rare one-on-one opportunity resulted in the game-tying goal.

THE FINISH
More opportunities to score came just five minutes later, but multiple Owl shot attempts near the net came up empty handed. Florida Atlantic's defense continued to thwart any response from the Gators.

With 15 minutes remaining, Small logged three saves in less than two minutes to keep a winning goal off the board. Two more Small saves came in the 80th minute of play, the final shot attempts allowed by the Owls' defense.

NOTABLES

Fresh off a hat trick in Thursday's 7-0 win over Howard, Santiago has logged four goals in the last two games.
10 saves by Small are her career high and the first double-digit performance by an Owl since Lexi Gonzalez on Oct. 19, 2023.
Hillman's assist was the first of her collegiate career. The "Baker's Dozen" core of freshmen is responsible for four out of FAU's six assists on the season.
Senior defenders Cicely-Ann Spencer-Wickham and Sydney Neira each played all 90 minutes.

QUOTABLE

Postgame with Coach Baker! pic.twitter.com/6iAiadJlUM
— Florida Atlantic Women's Soccer (@FAUWSoccer) August 30, 2026

WHAT'S NEXT
The Owls will remain at home, hosting Jacksonville on Thursday, Sept. 3. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., airing on FAUSports.com.

FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic women's soccer, follow the team on social media @FAUWSoccer.

#WIP