Boca Raton, FL - The Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer team hits the stretch drive of the fall season by hosting a pair of important Sun Belt Conference (SBC) matches this weekend.

The Owls will battle the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) on Faculty & Staff Night on Friday, October 12, at 7 p.m. Faculty and staff members will receive two dollar admission to the match with Owl Card and will receive a free rally towel. The team will conclude the weekend’s slate hosting the University of Louisiana on Sunday, October 14, at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be played at the FAU Soccer Stadium, 777 Glades Road on the Boca Raton campus.

FAU stands 3-9 on the season and is 1-4 in league action. The team has been competitive in SBC play, with the last three setbacks coming by one-goal margins – two in overtime – against the top three teams: North Texas, 2-1 on Friday, October 5; Middle Tennessee State University, 3-2 on Sunday, September 30; and Western Kentucky University, 1-0 on Friday, September 28.

With FAU, ULM (1-4) and Louisiana (1-3-1) each having one victory, the outcomes of this weekend’s matches could help determine the eight teams that will qualify for the SBC’s postseason championship tournament.

Leading the Owls has been freshman midfielder Claire Emslie, who has scored four of her eight goals this season in conference matches. The Scotland native ranks among the SBC’s top players in five offensive categories, including being second in the SBC with eight goals and a 0.67 goals-per-match average.

Senior goalkeeper Ashley Lantes stands six saves shy of breaking Molly Keating’s school record of 321 career saves from 2000-03. The Clermont, Fla. native made eight stops against North Texas and ranks fourth in the league with 70 saves this fall.

ULM, 4-10 overall, is coming off a 6-1 loss to Western Kentucky University on Sunday, October 7. The team is led by Karla Fehr’s five goals and five assists. Kelley O’Dwuer and Mariah Mitchell have each added three assists. FAU defeated the Warhawks 2-1 last season in Boca Raton.

Louisiana stands 7-7-1 on the season after a 2-0 home loss to Middle Tennessee on Sunday, October 7 and a 1-1 draw with WKU on October 5. Hayden Gibson leads the Ragin’ Cajuns with five goals and 11 points, while Shelby Isley and Erin Lynn have both scored four goals this season.

Live statistics of both matches can be found at www.fausports.com. For tickets, visit www.fausports.com or call the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS.

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